I      ■■  f 


(■■:i!'':. 


•' 


y 


JOHNA.SEAVERNS 


3  9090  013  413  022 


Webster  Famity  Library  of  Veterinary  Medii 
Cummings  School  of  Veterinary  Medicine ; 

Tuits  University , 

■•^r;.r^  01533 


.,jr*«?- 


Jvy^^  .^,    ^, 


/:Z^^/'^^^^>^■ 


]^«rA."v  I  ]sr '  s 


VETERIiWJ  PKACTICE: 


OR 


(K^jjliuuitar^  ^§ox^t  ^gortar. 


WRITTEN  IN  PLAIN  AND  COMMON  LANGUAGE, 


FOE  THE  USE  OP  THE  EARMER,  BEEEDER,  OE  OWNEE  OP  THE  HOESE. 

TO  ENABLE  HIM  TO  TEEAT  COEEEOTLY  AND  SUOOESSrULLT 

ALL  THE  DISEASES  TO  WHICH  THE  HOESE  IS  LIABLE. 


COPIOUSLY   ILLUSTRATED    BY   CUTS   AND   ENGRAVINGS^ 


BY 

JOHN  NICHOLSON  NAYIN, 

VETERINARY   SURGEON. 


IIs^DIANAPOLIS: 
ROACH     &     THISTLE  THWAITE. 

1867. 


IS/ 

MS 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1864, 

By   JOHN  NICHOLSON   NAVIN, 

In  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  District  of  IndiaiUk 


frUEOTTPED   AT  THl 
•f»l<«KBiN     TYPE     FOVNDBT, 

cmcrsNATi. 


PREFACE. 


In  preparing  this  work,  the  author  has  kept  constantly  in  view  that  it 
is  intended  for  the  use  of  the  farmer,  and  not  for  the  professional  horse 
doctor  or  veterinary  surgeon.  Its  object  is  to  enable  the  owner  of  the 
horse  to  give  him  that  intelligent  attention  his  worth  and  nobility  deserve. 

The  author  has  been  for  several  years  collecting  and  arranging  the 
facts  necessary  to  the  preparation  of  the  work.  He  has  carefully  ob- 
served the  symptoms  of  the  cases  of  each  disease  that  has  come  under 
his  observation,  and  the  effect  of  the  remedies  given.  By  this  course  it 
is  beheved  nearly  every  thing  contained  in  the  work,  whether  relating  to 
the  nature  and  symptoms  of  disease  or  to  the  treatment,  has  been  sub- 
jected to  the  unerring  test  of  practical  experience. 

The  author  has  generally  avoided  theorizing,  and  relied  on  the  state- 
ment of  known  facts,  believing  that  these  will  deceive  nobody,  while 
theories,  however  plausible,  are  worth  nothing,  if  not  supported  by  ex- 
perience. 

Nor  has  the  author  relied  alone  on  his  education  in  the  profession  of 

veterinary  medicine,  but  he  has  consulted  freely  and  critically  the  works 

of   all  the  more  distinguished  European   authors,   as  Blaine,  Percival, 

White,  Mayhew,  Youatt,  etc.;  also,  the  works  of  Doctor  Dadd,  of  the 

United  States,  especially  his  "Anatomy  and  Physiology  of  the  Horse." 

All  these  works,  though  written  for  the  professional  horse  doctor,  have 

been  of  service  to  the  author  in  preparing  this  work  for  the  people. 

Such  are  the  resources  from  which  the  material  of  this  work  have  been 

Oii^ 


IV  PREFACE. 

gathered.  Their  collection  and  arrangement  in  a  book,  so  written  as  to 
be  perfectly  understood  by  the  man  of  common  education,  has  been  a 
work  of  years,  having  occupied  the  author's  entire  attention  for  over 
three  years. 

In  addition  to  this,  every  part  of  this  work  has  passed  under  the  care- 
ful and  critical  examination  of  my  friend  D.  Adams,  M.  D.,  whose  high 
attainments  as  a  scholar  and  physician,  whose  accurate  knowledge  of 
human  anatomy,  and  also  the  anatomy  of  inferior  animals,  and  whose 
zeal  in  behalf  of  the  noble  animal,  the  horse,  for  whose  benefit  the  work 
is  intended,  have  peculiarly  adapted  him  for  pointing  out  any  defects, 
either  in  plan  or  matter,  which  might  have  crept  into  the  work. 

It  is  believed  that  the  work  is  now  ready  to  be  placed  before  the  pub- 
lic, as  perfect,  in  all  its  parts,  as  it  is  possible  to  get  it  in  the  present 
state  of  our  knowledge  of  the  nature  and  treatment  of  the  diseases  of 
the  horse. 

The  arrangement  of  the  work  is  that  which  would  seem  most  natural. 
Those  subjects  are  first  treated  which  are  of  the  greatest  importance. 
The  work  is  arranged  in  four  divisions,  each  division  perfect  in  itself  as 
to  the  subject  of  which  it  treats. 

Division  First  treats  of  the  diseases  of  the  horse,  giving  a  description 
of  each  particular  disease,  its  nature,  symptoms,  mode  of  distinguishing, 
and  treatment.  The  treatment  given  is  the  best  known,  and  such  as  may 
be  readily  obtained. 

Division  Second  treats  of  breeding,  raising,  and  management  of  the 
horse.  The  instructions  given  in  this  part  of  the  work  will  enable  the 
farmer  to  secure  the  most  perfect  and  healthy  stock  of  horses,  and  render 
the  necessity  for  medicines  very  small. 

Division  Third  treats  of  the  anatomy  and  physiology  of  the  horse, 
giving  such  descriptions  of  the  various  parts  of  his  system,  and  their 
actions  and  uses,  as  will  enable  any  one  to  obtain  a  good  knowledge  of 


PREFACE.  V 

the  subject.  It  teaches  the  proper  form  and  shape  of  the  various  parts 
to  render  the  horse  most  useful  for  any  particular  purpose.  This  knowl- 
edge is  necessary  to  a  good  judgment  of  the  qualities  of  the  horse. 

Division  Fourth  treats  of  the  various  medicines,  instruments,  and  ap- 
paratuses used  in  treating  the  diseases  and  injuries  of  the  horse.  The 
instruments  and  apparatuses  are  carefully  described  and  their  uses  ex- 
plained. The  uses,  properties,  the  size  of  the  dose,  the  effect  produced 
by,  the  mode  of  giving  each  medicine,  and  the  diseases  in  which  it  is 
used,  are  clearly  explained.  This  part  of  the  work  also  contains  a 
great  variety  of  reliable  recipes  and  cures,  and  a  variety  of  other  miscel- 
laneous matter,  and  tables  of  weights  and  measures. 

A  dictionary,  explaining  many  words  used  by  authors  in  treating  of 
the  horse,  and  a  full  and  complete  index  of  every  important  point  in  the 
book,  complete  the  work. 


AUTHOR'S  ADDRESS  TO  THE  PUBLIC. 


At  a  time  when  the  attention  of  the  people  is  almost  daily  called  to 

new  books,  the  author  of  one  bearing  the  title  of  this  may  reasonably 

be  expected  to  show  why  such  a  work  is  necessary,  and  wherein  it  may 

prove  of  sufficient  benefit  to  entitle  it  to  a  place  in  the  library  of  every 

person  interested  in  horses.     A  few  facts  will  show  the  necessity  for  such 

a  book  as  this  claims  to  be,  in  the  preface.     In  the  United  States  there 

are  but  few  educated  horse  doctors,  or  veterinary  surgeons — not  one  to 

be  found  in  many  of  our  largest  cities,  or  even  in  an  entire  State.     Many 

years  will  pass  before  men  educated  for  the  business  of  doctoring  horses, 

and  following  it  as  a  profession,  will  become  sufiBciently  numerous  to  be 

within  the  reach  of  every  neighborhood.     Now,  the  diseases  of  the  horse 

are  very  numerous,  and  present  a  great  variety  of  symptoms ;  so  much 

so,  that  a  case  seldom  occurs  on  which  all  the  bystanders  who  profess 

some  knowledge  are  agreed.     And,  I  may  add,  the  horse  is  often  treated 

for  the  wrong  disease,  amid  this  confusion  of  opinion,  and  not  unfre- 

quently  loses  his  life  by  such  treatment.     Now,  in  the  absence  of  men 

educated  as  horse  doctors,  on  whose  judgment  we  may  rely,  is  it  not  our 

only  safe  way  of  guarding  against  fatal  mistakes,  to  have  at  hand  a  book 

written  in  plain  language,  which  explains  carefully  every  symptom  of 

every  disease,  and  points  out  especially  those  symptoms  which  distinguish 

each  disease  from  every  other  for  which  it  is  liable  to  be  mistaken  V — and, 

not  only  so,  but  which  tells  what  to  give,  the  quantity  to  give  at  a  dose, 

how  to  give  it,  what  effect  it  will  have,  when  to  give  more,  and  when  to 

(vii) 


viii  author's  address. 

quit  giving  it?  With  such  a  book  at  hand,  the  farmer,  or  his  neighbor, 
who  may  be  more  apt  at  doctoring  horses,  may  determine  the  disease 
and  apply  the  proper  treatment  with  success,  far  superior  to  what  would 
result  without  such  a  book.  But  has  such  a  book  yet  been  oflfered  to  the 
public?  I  think  not.  I  am  aware  of  a  few  works  which  are  occasionally 
met  with,  which  have  given  the  subject  a  full  consideration;  but  they  are 
written  in  professional  language,  and,  consequently,  can  not  be  under- 
stood by  the  general  reader.  Such  are  the  works  of  Youatt,  Dadd,  and 
others.  They  are  not  at  all  explanatory.  Besides  these,  there  are 
many  small  works  on  farriery,  generally  in  pamphlet  form,  principally 
filled  up  with  "cures,"  "receipts,"  etc.  These  are  usually  written  by 
farriers  or  shoeing  smiths,  who  have  been  industrious  in  gathering  up 
cures.  Whatever  may  be  the  merits  of  the  cures  they  contain,  they  are  so 
deficient  in  the  explanation  of  the  symptoms  of  the  different  diseases  as 
not  to  be  relied  on.  Certainly,  if  any  are  disposed  to  use  their  own 
cure,  or  that  of  the  farrier,  for  any  disease,  the  first  point  is  to  determ- 
ine that  the  horse  has  that  disease. 

From  these  facts,  it  is  clear  that  the  books  heretofore  published  do  not 
contain  all  that  is  necessary  in  a  horse-doctor  book  intended  for  the 
general  use  of  the  people.  This,  we  think,  does  meet  that  object.  It  is 
so  full  in  its  explanations  as  to  enable  any  one  to  understand  it,  and  may 
be  used  to  aid  in  explaining  other  works.  It  is  especially  valuable  to 
those  who  have  a  collection  of  receipts,  for  it  enables  them  to  first  de- 
termine the  disease  with  certainty,  so  that  they  may  not  give  their  rem- 
edies in  the  wrong  disease,  and  thus  do  harm  instead  of  good  with  them. 

That  horses  need  doctoring  is  evident  from  the  number  of  diseases  to 
which  they  are  liable,  and  the  readiness  with  which  they  can  be  cured 
by  proper  treatment.  The  good  effects  of  proper  treatment  of  the  dis- 
eases of  horses  are  quite  as  clear  as  of  those  of  human  patients,  and  the 
evil  of  bad  treatment  quite  as  destructive  of  life.     Some  may  object  that, 


author's  address.  IX 

if  proper  attention  is  given  to  breeding,  raising,  feeding,  and  the  general 
management  of  the  horse,  he  will  seldom  have  disease.  I  admit  this 
fact;  and  hence  the  second  part  of  this  work  is  chiefly  occupied  with 
the  explanation  of  these  subjects,  and  the  importance  of  observing  them. 
A  healthy  horse  has  every  advantage  over  a  sickly  one,  but  even  a  sickly 
one  is  often  better  than  no  horse  at  all,  and  may  abundantly  repay  the 
trouble  and  expense  of  doctoring  him. 

In  former  times  in  this  country,  when  the  price  of  horses  was  only 
about  one-third  the  present  value,  it  was  not  of  so  much  consequence  to 
guard  against  so  small  a  loss  as  the  price  of  a  horse.  In  those  times, 
if  educated  veterinary  surgeons  had  been  plenty,  they  would  seldom  have 
been  called  on,  for  the  owner  would  generally  have  preferred  letting  his 
horse  stand  the  chances  of  nature — or,  what  is  worse,  the  ignorant  pre- 
tender— to  paying  the  horse  doctor  five  or  ten  dollars  for  doctoring  him. 
At  this  day  it  is  quite  different;  but  few  men  will  hesitate  paying  a  good 
veterinary  surgeon  such  fees  in  any  severe  case  of  disease,  if  such  a 
one  is  in  reach.  A  horse  is  too  valuable  to  be  jeopardized  by  trusting 
him  to  an  ignorant  pretender,  or  even  the  better  chances  of  undisturbed 
nature. 

If  veterinary  surgeons  were  plenty,  they  would  find  employment  enough 
even  at  their  present  high  fees.  But  they  are  few  and  far  between.  The 
men  who  do  pretend  to  know  something  about  the  diseases  of  horses,  in 
most  neighborhoods,  have  had  to  gather  up  their  limited  knowledge  mainly 
from  their  own  experience.  They  have  not  even  had  the  advantage  of 
books  which  give  full  descriptions  and  treatment  of  the  diseases  of  the 
horse.  Such  books  as  might  be  relied  on  have  been,  unfortunately,  written 
BO  as  not  to  be  understood  by  the  man  of  common  education ;  and  the  small 
pamphlets  which  are  met  are  seldom  of  any  service  in  enabling  one  to 
determine  the  disease.  They  pay  but  little  attention  to  symptoms ;  and 
the  treatment  of  many  of  them  is  positively  injurious.  ' 


X  '     author's  address. 

If  any  person  is  disposed  to  prepare  himself  for  a  regular  horse 
doctor,  in  the  absence  of  a  regular  college,  he  can  have  no  better  means 
of  doing  so  than  by  the  careful  study  of  this  work.  It  is  the  very  best 
text-book  for  the  veterinary  surgeon.  After  studying  it,  the  reader  will 
be  able  to  take  up  the  works  of  Youatt,  Percival,  Dadd,  and  others  who 
have  written  books  for  the  profession,  and  read  them  with  profit.  This 
book  furnishes  a  key  or  explanation  of  such  works.  Its  dictionary  ex- 
plains the  words  found  in  those  books,  which  so  often  cover  up  their 
meaning.  It  renders  the  road  to  the  study  of  veterinary  practice  simple 
and  easy ;  so  that,  by  its  lights  and  guides,  the  man  of  common  educa- 
tion and  common  sense  may  become  a  first-rate  veterinary  surgeon,  or 
thoroughly  informed  horse  doctor. 


NAVIN  ON  THE  HORSE. 


SIGNS  OF  DISEASE  IN  THE  HOESE. 

The  horse  being  unable  to  describe  to  us  his  feelings,  and  tell 
us  the  seat  of  his  pain,  we  are  compelled  to  rely  on  such  signs 
and  symptoms  as  we  can  discover,  by  various  means,  to  determ- 
ine the  nature  of  his  ailments.  A  few  of  the  more  common 
symptoms,  or  signs  of  disease,  will  now  be  considered.  But  to 
determine  exactly  the  character  of  any  particular  case  of  disease, 
the  combination  of  symptoms  present  will  have  to  be  considered. 
In  this  article,  however,  important  landmarks  are  joresented, 
which  may  be  very  useful  in  guiding  to  correct  conclusions. 

The  Pulse. — The  pulse  of  a  medium-sized  healthy  horse  beats 
about  forty  per  minute.  The  pulse  of  a  small  horse  may  be  a 
few  more,  or,  of  a  larger  one,  a  beat  or  two  less.  Age  decreases 
the  pulse  slightly.  Any  considerable  increase  of  the  pulse  over 
forty  per  minute  indicates  fever  or  inflammation,  and  other  symp- 
toms must  be  looked  for  to  determine  the  particular  locality  of 
the  disease.  When  great  weakness  ensues,  the  pulse  becomes 
fluttering. 

The  Membrane  of  the  Nose. — This,  in  health,  is  of  a  light  pink 
color.  In  fever  and  inflammation  it  is  red.  If  of  the  lungs  or 
air-passages,  it  is  more  deeply  colored,  and  specked  with  brown 
mucus.  In  the  very  last  stage  of  most  diseases,  when  death  is 
about  taking  place,  the  membrane  of  the  nose  becomes  of  a 
dark,  leaden  or  livid  color.  In  glanders  it  is  of  a  light  blue 
and  reddish  color,  with  specks  of  ulceration  over  it.  In  scarlet 
fever  it  is  covered  with  scarlet  spots. 

(") 


12  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

The  Ears,  in  disease,  lose  their  erectness  and  quickness  of  mo- 
tion, and  become  dull,  loose  and  fallen ;  falling  forward  if  the 
head  is  down,  and  backward  if  it  is  raised,  in  all  diseases  aifect- 
ing  the  system  generally.  The  ears  are  cold  in  inflamma- 
tion of  the  lungs  and  pleurisy.  Slightly  so  in  other  diseases, 
as  colic,  etc. 

The  Eyes. — Weeping  of  the  eyes  is  observed  in  colds,  stran- 
gles, catarrhal  fever,  and  glanders.  When  the  eyes  become 
glassy  in  the  advanced  stage  of  disease,  it  indicates  that  death 
is  about  to  take  place. 

The  Mouth  is  hot  in  fevers  and  inflammations.  The  inouth 
and  tongue  are  clammy  and  offensive  in  severe  fevers. 

The  Breathing. — The  breathing  is  rapid  in  fevers ;  laborious  in 
inflammation  of  the  lungs ;  laborious,  short,  and  catching  in  pleu- 
risy, and  difficult  in  thick-wind.  The  nostrils  are  much  spread 
in  inflammation  of  the  lungs  and  pleurisy.  The  breath  is  hot. 
Deep,  snoring  breathing  indicates  disease  of  the  brain.  ^ 

The  Feet. — Coldness  of  the  feet  indicates  inflammation  of  im- 
portant internal  organs,  as  the  lungs,  pleura,  bowels,  bladder, 
etc.     Heat  and  tenderness  of  the  feet  occur  in  founder. 

The  Hair. — The  hair  is  dry  and  staring  in  farcy,  glanders,  in- 
digestion, hide-bound  from  any  cause,  worms,  mange,  consump- 
tion, surfeit,  all  diseases  of  the  skin,  and  starvation.  The  hair 
comes  out  in  patches  in  mange,  and  in  spots  in  surfeit. 

The  Skin. — Heat  of  the  skin  is  one  of  the  principal  signs  of 
external  local  inflammation ;  it  also  shows  the  presence  of  some 
fevers  of  a  general  character.  A  yellowness  about  the  mouth, 
eyes,  and  nose,  shows  jaundice  or  inflammation  of  the  liver. 
Redness  of  the  skin  of  the  heels  is  a  forerunner  of  grease  or 
scratches.  Dryness  and  huskiness  of  the  skin  and  hair  indi- 
cate constitutional  derangement,  either  of  a  chronic  character, 
or,  it  may  be,  some  acute  disease  already  present,  or  just  coming 
on,  as  pleurisy  or  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  in  which  the  skin  of 
the  legs  is  cool  or  cold  throughout. 

The  Diuig. — The  appearance  of  the  horse's  dung  shows  the 


SIGNS   OF   DISEASE   IX   THE   HORSE.  13 

condition  of  his  digestion.  The  dung  very  offensive,  like  that 
of  the  hog  or  human,  indicates  a  want  of  action  in  the  absorbent 
vessels  of  the  bowels,  which  is  a  form  of  indigestion.  The 
dung-balls  are  slimy  in  glanders,  farcy,  and  worms. 

The  Water. — The  urine  of  the  horse  undergoes  very  great 
changes  of  quantity,  color,  and  thickness,  when  the  animal  is  in 
perfect  health.  Stopping  of  the  urine,  or,  when  it  passes  only  a 
little  at  a  time,  and  that  attended  with  great  straining,  indicates 
stricture,  inflammation  of  the  kidneys  or  bladder,  or  stone  in 
the  bladder.  Diabetes  is  told  by  the  composition  of  the  urine 
and  the  quantity ;  bloody  water  by  its  being  mixed  with  blood. 

The  Flanks  heave  in  inflammation  of  lungs,  pleura,  and  bow- 
els. They  are  tucked  up  in  glanders,  farcy,  indigestion,  jaun- 
dice, and  other  diseases  in  which  digestion  is  impaired.  A 
kernel  will  be  felt  in  the  inside  of  the  loose  skin  of  the  flank, 
in  the  groin,  in  mange.     The  flanks  throb  in  thumps. 

Lroiyping  of  the  Head  is  a  sign  present  in  a  great  variety  of 
diseases  and  of  opposite  characters.  When  it  is  observed,  other 
symptoms  should  be  looked  for.  It  is  most  marked  and  perfect 
in  diseases  of  the  brain. 

Lying  Down. — In  flatulent  colic  the  horse  lies  down  carefully, 
rolls,  and  tries  to  keej)  on  his  back.  He  then  gets  up  quick. 
In  spasmodic  colic  he  lies  down  quick,  rolls  over  quickly  several 
times,  and  gets  up,  or  he  may  only  rise  on  his  hips  and  sit  for 
awhile,  and  then  roll  again,  or  get  up.  In  inflammation  of  the 
bowels  he  lies  down  carefully,  and  lies  stretched  out,  and  paws 
or  strikes  with  his  fore-feet. 

Standing  Still. — In  locked-jaw  the  horse  stands  wide,  and  fixed 
as  a  statue.  In  inflammation  of  the  lungs  he  stands  with  the 
head  inclining  and  his  fore-feet  forward,  and  does  not  want  to 
move ;  and  if  he  lies  down,  he  gets  up  instantly.  In  pleurisy 
the  same  way,  but  may  lie  down  for  a  little  time. 

Pointing  with  tlie  Nose. — The  horse  points  with  his  nose  to  the 
flanks,  in  inflammation  of  the  bowels  and  colic ;  and  turns  his 
neck  carefully  and  looks  at  his  side,  but  does  not  put  his  nose 


14  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

to  the  body,  in  pleurisy.  In  inflammation  of  the  foot  or  acute 
founder  he  points  his  nose  to  the  feet. 

Pointing  the  Fore-foot  indicates  atrophy  of  the  muscles  of  the 
shoulder,  called  sweeny.  Pointing  first  one  and  then  the  other, 
is  a  symptom  of  chest-founder,  or  rheumatism.  Dragging  the 
fore-foot  shows  dislocation  of  the  shoulder-joint. 

Staggering  in  most  diseases,  as  colic  for  example,  indicates  ap- 
proaching death.  It  is  a  symptom  of  hysterics,  palsy,  and  poi- 
soning with  narcotics. 

Straddling^  is  a  symptom  of  inflammation  of  the  kidneys, 
bladder,  and  strain  of  the  back. 

Stiffness  in  Walking  occurs  in  big-head,  farcy,  founder,  lung 
fever,  pleurisy,  hysterics,  and  rheumatism. 

Twitching  of  the  skin  on  the  side  occurs  in  pleurisy. 

Delirium  occurs  in  inflammation  of  the  brain,  vertigo,  apo- 
plexy and  stomach  staggers. 

Drying  up  of  the  Perspiration^  or  sweat,  very  suddenly,  when 
the  horse  is  being  driven  or  worked,  is  an  indication  that  he  is 
about  taking  pleurisy  or  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  some 
other  severe  form  of  inflammation. 


INFLAMMATOKY  DISEASES. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN— MAD  STAGGERS. 

This  disease  is  known  by  the  names  above,  and  sometimes 
also  called  brain  fever.  But  I  prefer  the  name  of  inflammation 
of  the  brain,  from  the  fact  that  it  indicates  the  nature  of  the 
disease. 

Sijmiytcyms. — The  early  symptoms  of  inflammation  of  the  brain 
much  resemble  those  of  the  same  stage  of  stomach,  or  sleepy 
staggers ;  dullness,  or  stupor ;  but  there  will  not  be  that  greedy 
disposition  to  eat,  on  being  aroused,  that  there  is  in  true  stag- 


INFLAMMATION   OF   THE   BKAIN — MAD   STAGGEKS.  15 

gers.  Tliis  is  the  only  stage  of  the  disease  at  which  treatment 
can  be  made  to  do  much  good,  as  the  violence  of  the  animal's 
motions  becomes  so  great  in  the  second  stage  that  it  is  very 
dangerous  to  attempt  to  handle  him. 

After  the  stupor  goes  off,  the  horse  commences  to  show  signs 
of  pain ;  his  nostrils  expand ;  breathing  becomes  more  rapid ; 
his  eyes,  which  were  before  heavy  and  closed,  now  open,  and  he 
looks  around  with  a  wild  and  vacant  stare ;  his  flanks  heave ; 
his  pulse  becomes  quick  and  hard ;  and  very  soon  delirium 
comes  on.  He  throws  himself  about  so  quickly  and  violently 
that  no  person  dare  approach  him.  He  manifests  no  disposi- 
tion to  do  harm.  He  is  in  a  state  of  entire  unconsciousness. 
His  appearance  is  indeed  terrible.  These  symptoms  continue 
until  the  animal  dies  from  being  worn  out  by  such  violent 
struggling,  or  he  falls  into  a  profound  stupor,  with  stertorous  or 
snoring  breathing,  and  continues  in  this  condition  until  he  dies. 
Sometimes  convulsions  of  a  most  fearful  character  occur  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  disease,  and  not  unfrequently  he  dies  in 
convulsions. 

Causes. — The  name  indicates  very  well  the  character  of  this 
disease.  It  is  an  inflammation,  either  of  the  substance  of  the 
brain  itself,  or  of  the  thin  membrane  that  surrounds  it.  When 
the  horse  sinks  into  profound  stupor,  after  having  been  frantic,  as 
described,  this  indicates  that  a  watery  fluid,  called  serum,  has 
been  thrown  out  from  the  inflamed  part,  and  may  be  found,  on 
examination  after  death,  in  considerable  quantity  about  the 
brain. 

0\'er- working,  in  hot  weather,  especially  if  the  horse  is  fat, 
may  bring  on  an  attack.  Or  any  exposure  that  will  ordinarily 
give  rise  to  other  inflammatory  diseases  may  produce  this. 

Treatment. — The  only  chance  for  treatment  in  this  disease  is 
in  the  early  stage,  for  so  violent  are  the  strugglings  of  the  horse 
in  the  latter  stages,  that  no  person  should  be  required  to  run  the 
risk  of  handling  him.  Prompt  physicking  has  always  been  re- 
garded the  main  reliance  in  this  disease.     I  prefer  giving  an 


16  NAYIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

antispasmodic  along  with  the  physic.     The  following  will  an- 
swer the  purpose : 

Take — Powdered  aloes 1  ounce. 

Powdered  lobelia  herb 1  ounce. 

Powdered  gum-arabic 1  ounce, 

Croton  oil 20  drops. 

Warm  water 1  quart 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

At  the  same  time  take  from  the  neck-vein  from  six  to  eight 
quarts,  making  a  large  opening  in  the  vein,  so  that  the  blood 
will  flow  in  a  large  stream.  From  the  first  the  head  should  be 
wrapped  in  cloths  several  folds  thick,  and  cold  water  constantly 
poured  on  it.  The  legs  should  be  frequently  rubbed  with  alco- 
hol, one  pint,  and  powdered  Cayenne  pej^per,  one  ounce,  mixed. 
A  very  large  blister  about  the  breast  and  chest  will  have  a 
good  eifect  in  diverting  the  flow  of  blood  from  the  head.  In  an 
hour  after  giving  the  physic,  commence  with  the  following : 

Take — Tincture  digitalis 1  ounce. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Tartar  emetic 60  grains. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.  This  dose  is  to  be  repeated  every  two  hours, 
omitting  the  tincture  digitalis,  until  the  pulse  falls  to  the  natural  standard. 

After  the  disease  is  subdued,  the  horse  will  be  very  much  re- 
duced, and  will  require  something  to  sustain  his  strength  until 
the  powers  of  the  system  rally.  For  this  purj)ose  give  car- 
bonate of  ammonia,  sixty  grains,  every  two  hours,  until  his 
strength  is  sufficiently  restored  to  render  his  condition  safe. 
His  diet  should  be  very  light  for  several  days.  He  should  be 
kept  in  a  quiet,  well- ventilated  stable  for  some  time. 

LAMPAS. 

This  is  an  aflfection  of  the  mouth,  quite  common  among 
young  horses,  and  but  seldom  met  with  in  old  ones.     It  is  char- 


LAMPAS.  17 

acterized  by  a  swelling  of  the  bars  of  the  palate  adjoining  the 
gunn,  at  the  back  of  the  upper  nippers. 

Sipnptoms. — The  first  symptom  that  will  be  observed  will  be 
a  difficulty  of  feeding,  the  horse  or  colt  leaving  a  portion  of  his 
ordinary  feed  in  the  trough  or  manger.  On  examining  the 
mouth,  the  bars  will  be  found  swollen,  red,  and  sore,  being 
raised  nearly  or  quite  as  high  as  the  teeth,  or  even  above  them. 
If  not  cured,  but  suffered  to  continue,  the  animal  will  lose  flesh 
and  get  in  low  condition,  and  will  not  improve. 

Causes. — The  most  common  cause  of  lampas  is  the  irritation 
of  the  gums,  caused  by  the  shedding  of  the  teeth,  extending  to 
the  bars.  Or  it  may  result  from  a  generally  feverish  condition 
of  the  system ;  but  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  very  common  cause 
is  derangement  of  the  stomach. 

Treatment. — Most  cases  of  this  disease  will  get  well  without 
treatment,  or  by  allowing  the  animal  soft  feed  for  a  short  time. 
I  have  found  the  following  treatment  entirely  successful,  and 
regard  it  preferable  to  any  other.  Take  a  stick  of  lunar  caustic 
(nitrate  of  silver),  and  touch  the  parts  affected  once  a  day  for 
three  days.  After  each  application  of  the  caustic,  pass  a  cloth 
through  the  mouth  and  around  the  muzzle,  to  keep  the  tongue 
from  coming  in  contact  with  the  parts,  and  let  it  remain  on  for- 
\  few  hours.  It  may  be  kept  on  by  fastening  it  to  the  halter.. 
This  treatment  should  always  be  j^referred,  but  as  the  remedy- 
may  not  always  be  at  hand,  I  shall  give  one  or  two  other  suc- 
cessful plans  of  treatment.  Touch  the  parts  quickly  over  withi 
a  hot  iron;  not  so  as  to  burn  the  flesh,  or  even  blister,  but  just 
so  as  to  sear  the  skin  or  mucous  membrane.  If  quickly  and 
properly  done,  this  will  not  destroy  the  bars  or  in  any  way 
injure  the  mouth.  But  if,  as  I  have  sometimes  seen,  the  iron 
is  so  applied  as  to  destroy  the  flesh  and  leave  a  deep  sore,  it 
will  do  much  injury,  and  the  remedy  prove  worse  than  the  dis- 
ease. After  burning,  take  a  handful  of  salt  and  meal,  and  rub 
the  part  well  with  it,  and  then  take  a  sharj)  nail  and  prick  the 
affected  bars  in  two  or  three  places,  near  the  middle,  so  as  to 
2 


18  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

draw  a  small  quantity  of  blood — about  half  a  gill.  Another 
method  of  treatment  is,  to  prick  or  puncture  the  aifected  bars 
in  several  places,  near  the  middle,  with  a  sharp  knife  or  prod, 
so  as  to  draw  considerable  blood,  and  then  take  about  an  ounce 
of  powdered  alum  and  a  handful  of  salt,  and  scour  the  parts 
thoroughly  with  it.  While  working  with  the  mouth,  a  stick 
should  be  put  across,  within  the  mouth,  to  prevent  the  horse 
from  shutting  it  on  the  hand. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  TONGUE. 

The  marks  of  inflammation  are  heat,  pain,  swelling,  and 
redness.  All  these  attend  inflammation  of  the  tongue.  They 
constitute  the  symptoms  of  the  disease,  except  the  degree  of 
general  fever  that  accompanies  it.  It  is  generally  the  result  of 
injury. 

Treatment. — If  the  case  is  not  very  bad,  and  especially  if 
•caused  by  an  injury: 

Take — Finely-powdered  burnt  alum J  pound. 

Finely-powdered  salt 1  pound. 

Corn-meal 2  pints. 

Mix.  and  apply  to  the  tongue,  by  means  of  a  swab,  three  or  four  times  a  day. 

If  the  case  is  very  bad,  give  a  physic  of  aloes  with  ginger, 
and  bleed  to  the  extent  of  six  quarts.  A  blister  to  the  upper 
part  of  the  throat,  in  a  very  bad  case,  would  be  advisable. 
The  horse  should  be  fed  thin  gruel  and  slops. 

LUNG  FEVER. 

This  disease  is  known  by  the  names  of  lung  fever^  infiamma- 
iwi  of  the  lungs,  and  pneumonia.  It  is  an  inflammation  of  the 
substance  of  the  lungs,  or  lights,  as  the  butchers  call  them.  It 
may  aftect  either  the  right  or  left  lung,  or  both  of  them.  It 
sometimes  occurs  in  the  form  of  congestion  of  the  lungs,  inflam- 
mation proper  never  taking  place;   the  lung  remaining  in  a 


LUNG   FEVER.  19 

congested  state,  or  engorged  with  blood,  until  the  animal  dies. 
In  most  cases,  however,  the  symptoms  of  active  inflammation 
will  soon  be  discovered.  Inflammation  of  the  lungs  is  one  of 
the  most  common  and  ft^tal  diseases  the  horse  is  subject  to ; 
and  its  treatment  will  put  the  horse  doctor's  skill  to  the  sever- 
est test.  He  must  understand  his  case  clearly  and  know  what 
to  do,  and  do  it  with  a  master  hand. 

Sf/mjitoms. — In  the  common  form  of  lung  fever,  the  attack 
commences  with  much  the  same  symptoms  as  attend  the  form- 
ing stage  of  other  fevers,  or  inflammation  of  other  organs ; 
such  as  coldness  of  the  legs  and  ears,  and  sometimes  a  positive 
chill,  with  shivering.  A  short,  dry  cough  may  now  be  observed, 
and  which  may  have  been  present  for  several  days.  The  horse 
appears  moping  and  not  inclined  to  move ;  may  hang  his  head 
under  or  rest  it  in  the  manger ;  eats  poorly.  As  yet  the  true 
nature  of  the  case  may  not  be  suspected,  the  horse  being 
supposed  to  be  only  "a  little  ailing."  But  the  second  stage  of 
the  disease  follows,  and  more  marked  symptoms  make  their 
appearance. 

The  coldness  of  the  extremities  (legs  and  ears)  continues. 
Unmistakable  evidences  of  fever  apj^ear.  The  body  becomes 
hot,  also  the  mouth ;  the  pulse  increased  in  frequency ;  the  head 
is  thrust  forward ;  the  eyes  become  watery ;  the  membrane  of 
the  nose  becomes  of  a  bright  red  hue,  covered  with  mucus,  lead 
color  or  brown;  he  stands  in  a  singularly  stiff  manner,  with 
his  fore-legs  forward  and  wide  apart ;  breathing  becomes  op- 
pressive and  difficult,  the  nostrils  working  violently,  and  the 
flanks  heave,  with  a  hurried,  quick  motion,  up  and  down ;  he 
looks  at  his  flanks  with  an  expression  of  peculiar  anxiety ;  may 
attempt  to  drink,  but  can  not  swallow  to  do  any  good,  as  it  pro- 
duces coughing,  and  the  water  is  often  thrown  out  through  the 
nose  ;  the  horse  obstinately  keeps  the  standing  posture. 

If  the  disease  is  suffered  to  progress,  the  above  symptoms 
become  aggravated  generally.  The  pulse,  which,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  first  stage,  was  quite  distinct,  becomes  oppressed, 


20  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

irregular,  and  almost  imperceptible.  This  marks  the  beginning 
of  the  third  stage,  in  which  the  blood  is  overloaded  with  poison- 
ous matters,  which  the  lungs  have  lost  the  power  to  remove. 
The  breathing  becomes  quicker  and  more  laborious ;  the  horse 
becomes  restless  or  uneasy;  may  lie  down,  but  will  immediately 
jump  up  again ;  the  legs  and  ears  become  of  a  death-like  cold 
ness ;  the  muzzle  also  begins  to  become  cold ;  the  bright  red  of 
the  nostrils  has  disappeared,  and  they  are  of  a  dull,  livid,  or 
leaden  hue ;  twitching  of  the  muscles  takes  place ;  the  horse 
grinds  his  teeth ;  staggers  as  he  attempts  to  move  ;  finally  falls, 
and,  after  a  few  convulsive  struggles,  dies. 

The  disease  does  not  always  present  the  above  train  of  symp- 
toms. In  what  are  called  sub-acute  cases,  the  symptoms  are 
not  so  violent.  But  there  will  always  be  enough  present  to 
indicate  the  nature  of  the  case. 

Of  the  congestive  type  of  pneumonia,  in  which  the  lungs  are 
engorged  with  blood  from  the  first  to  the  last,  Mr.  Percival  says : 

"  In  the  worst  cases  of  this  kind  the  animal  is  all  over  in  a 
tremor;  a  cold  sweat  bedews  his  body;  there  is  no  pulse  to 
be  felt ;  his  extremities  betray  the  coldness  of  death ;  his  eye 
is  frightfully  wild,  and,  together  with  the  boring  of  the  head, 
and  stupidity  oAdnced  by  him,  clearly  denote  the  poor  sufferer 
to  be  laboring  under  a  species  of  delirium. 

"  Should  this  state  of  congestion  come  on  in  the  stable,  grad- 
ually, and  some  time  after  the  cause  is  applied,  the  horse  will 
show  it  by  aj^pearing  dull,  listless,  heavy-headed,  and  off  his 
appetite;  his  respiration  (breathing)  will  gradually  become 
more  disturbed  and  oppressed,  indicating  much  more  labor  than 
pain.  The  pulse  will  be  full  and  quick,  but  probably  so  feeble 
as  hardly  to  be  perceptible.  The  ear,  applied  to  the  chest,  de- 
tects no  sound;  the  usual  respiratory  murmur  (a  sort  of  mur- 
murmg  sound  produced  in  the  lungs)  is  lost.  The  extremities 
(the  legs  and  ears)  have  a  cold,  death-like  feel ;  and,  in  extreme 
cases,  the  mouth  is  cold  also,  and  the  pupils  (the  sight  of  the 
eyes)  more  or  less  dilated  (spread  out,  made  larger).     Cold 


LUNG   FEVEK.  21 

sweats  supervene ;  no  pulse  is  to  be  felt ;  the  animal  gradually 
sinks,  and,  in  convulsions  and  delirium,  dies." 

It  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  be  able  to  distinguish  one 
disease  from  another.  The  death  of  the  horse  may  be,  and 
often  is,  the  result  of  a  single  dose  of  medicine  given  under  a 
mistaken  notion  of  the  disease.  I  shall,  therefore,  point  out  the 
diseases  for  which  inflammation  of  the  lungs  is  most  likely  to 
be  mistaken,  and  the  principal  symptoms  which  serve  to  dis- 
tinguish them. 

It  may  be  mistaken  for  founder.  In  lung  fever  the  feet  are 
cold;  in  founder,  hot.  In  lung  fever,  the  horse  drinks  with 
difficulty ;  in  founder,  has  no  trouble  drinking.  In  lung  fever, 
can  not  lie  down ;  in  founder,  lies  down  early  in  the  disease, 
and  generally  continues  lying.  In  lung  fever,  peculiar  sounds 
heard  on  listening  to  the  lungs ;  in  founder,  none. 

Lung  fever  may  be  mistaken  for  pleurisy.  In  pleurisy,  the 
horse  has  a  great  aversion  to  turning  around  in  a  circle,  and 
if  he  is  turned,  he  grunts  or  groans  with  pain.  There  is  also 
extreme  tenderness  of  the  side  on  pressure.  But  it  must  not 
be  forgotten  that  pleurisy  and  lung  fever  often  exist  together, 
and  the  case  is  then  called  pleuro-pneumonia.  Indeed,  a  case 
of  either  pleurisy  or  pneumonia  can  hardly  terminate  without 
becoming  complicated  with  the  other. 

Lung  fever  is  very  uncertain  in  its  duration.  It  may  term- 
inate fatally  in  less  than  eighteen  hours ;  or  it  may  be  protracted 
for  many  days,  and  then  prove  fatal.  Generally,  however,  if 
the  case  is  going  to  end  in  death,  it  will  be  from  the  second 
to  the  fifth  day.  If  the  horse  lives  beyond  the  fifth  day,  it  is  a 
favorable  sign. 

Pneumonia  frequently  terminates  in  dropsy  of  the  chest. 
When  this  takes  place,  it  is  a  close  observer  who  is  not  deceived 
by  the  change  of  symptoms  which  occurs.  The  legs  and  ears 
become  warm ;  the  appetite  returns ;  the  horse  appears  more 
lively,  and  is  thought  to  be  getting  well.  But  the  coat  remains 
unhealthy ;  there  is  a  yellowish  discharge  from  the  nostrils ;  the 


22  NAVII^   ON   THE   HOKSE. 

sounds  of  the  lungs  are  not  natural,  and  by  carefully  applying 
the  ear  to  the  side  it  may  be  possible  to  detect  the  presence  of 
water  in  the  chest ;  the  pulse  is  irregular,  and  the  horse  obsti- 
nately persists  in  standing  up,  both  day  and  night.  After  a 
number  of  days,  or  sometimes  weeks,  the  horse  is  again  seized 
with  rigors,  or  shivering,  and  he  is  thought  to  have  relapsed,  or 
taken  another  attack  of  lang  fever,  but  very  soon  dies,  despite 
of  all  efforts  for  his  relief. 

Inflammation  of  the  lungs,  also,  frequently  terminates  in  what 
is  called  thick-wind. 

Considerable  irritation  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  air- 
cells  may  remain  after  an  attack  of  lung  fever,  and  produce  a 
chronic  cough.  The  appearances  of  the  lungs,  etc.,  after  death  by 
lung  fever,  deserve  notice.  Very  often  the  whole  of  the  lungs 
will  appear  as  one  mass  of  blackness,  every  trace  of  their  fine 
structure  being  destroyed,  and  the  lungs  are  said  to  be  perfectly 
rotten.  Many  persons  have  been  misled  by  this  appearance  of 
the  lungs,  and  supposed  that  the  horse  must  have  been  long 
diseased.  This  is  far  from  the  fact.  It  results  from  the  lungs 
becoming  powerfully  congested  or  engorged  with  blood.  And 
this  is  far  more  likely  to  be  the  case  when  the  disease  has  run 
its  course  rapidly.  The  adhesion  or  gluing  of  the  lungs  to  the 
chest,  which  some  take,  through  ignorance,  as  evidence  of  long- 
standing disease,  Mr.  Percival  says  he  "has  known  to  be  pro 
duced  in  twenty-four  hours."  In  some  cases,  where  the  inflam- 
mation has  been  very  violent,  but  confined  to  only  part  of  the 
lung,  mortification  or  gangrene  may  take  place  a  few  hours,  or 
longer,  before  death.  It  will  be  indicated  by  the  peculiar  of- 
fensiveness  of  the  breath.  This  does  not  show  disease  of  long- 
standing, but  ratlier  rapid  and  violent  inflammation. 

When  the  case  has  terminated  in  dropsy  of  the  chest,  the 
cavity  of  the  chest  will  be  found  filled  with  water,  which  had 
accumulated  to  such  an  extent  as  to  destroy  the  action  of  the 
lungs  and  heart  and  produce  suffocation. 

Causes. — Nearly  all  the  causes  that  produce  inflammation  of 


LUNG   FEVER.  23 

the  lungs  are  the  result  of  bad  management  or  improper  expos- 
ure. If  the  horse  has  taken  catarrh  or  common  cold,  very  little 
over-exertion,  either  in  riding  or  driving,  and  allowing  the  horse 
to  suddenly  cool,  will  cause  inflammation  of  the  lungs.  A  sudden 
change  from  heat  to  cold,  or  from  cold  to  heat,  may  produce  it. 
Riding  or  driving  against  a  cold,  raw  wind,  or  through  deep  wa- 
ter, when  the  horse  is  warm,  or  any  thing  that  will  stop  the  free 
perspiration  through  the  skin,  may  produce  an  attack  of  pneumo- 
nia. But  nothing  is  so  frequently  the  cause,  perhaps,  as  allowing 
the  horse  to  stand  in  a  close,  illy- ventilated  stable,  in  which  the 
dung  is  suffered  to  remain,  and  the  urine  stand  in  puddles. 
From  the  filth,  dung,  and  urine,  thus  allowed  to  accumulate,  ir- 
ritating gases  of  ammonia  or  hartshorn  are  constantly  rising, 
and,  coming  in  contact  with  the  delicate  membrane  lining  the 
millions  of  little  air-cells  in  the  lungs,  irritate  them,  and  finally 
produce  true  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  leave  the  horse  in  a 
condition  to  take  it  on  the  slightest  exposure  to  cold. 

Fat  horses,  and  especially  if  not  much  exercised  or  worked, 
are  more  apt  to  take  fever  than  those  in  lower  condition. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  in  this  disease  .should  be  prompt 
and  energetic.  This  is  one  of  those  diseases  of  the  horse  which 
most  certainly  require  bleeding.  But  some  are  of  the  opinion 
that  nauseating  treatment  will  answer  as  well.  There  is  one 
great  advantage  in  bleeding :  it  gives  immediate  relief;  there  is 
no  time  lost  in  waiting  for  its  action ;  and  time,  in  lung  fever, 
is  of  great  value.  The  treatment  should  be  commenced  by 
bleeding  from  the  neck.  The  opening  should  be  large,  so  as  to 
permit  the  blood  to  flow  in  a  full  stream.  The  finger  should 
be  on  the  pulse,  so  as  to  mark  the  effect  produced.  As  soon 
as  the  pulse  becomes  full  and  soft,  the  bleeding  has  gone 
far  enough.  It  will  generally  require  about  eight  quarts  to 
effect  the  object.  Six  quarts  taken  rapidly  will  have  a  better 
effect  than  ten  taken  slowly.  Hence  the  necessity  of  having 
the  opening  of  the  vein  made  large. 


24  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

The  next  thing  to  be  done  after  the  bleeding  is  to  give  the 
following : 

Take — Tartar  emetic 60  grains. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  digitalis <■ 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  jrive  as  a  drench,  all  at  once.  Blister  the  sides  of  the  chest  and 
breast ;  a  very  large  surface  should  be  blistered.  The  liquid  blister  should  be 
used,  or  aqua  ammonia. 

While  waiting  for  the  action  of  the  blister,  the  cold  legs  should 
be  rubbed  with  alcohol,  one  pint,  and  powdered  Cayenne  pep- 
per, one  ounce,  mixed.  This  should  be  frequently  used  as  long 
as  the  legs  are  cold.  If  the  blister  is  good  and  well  applied, 
if  it  does  not  rise  in  a  reasonable  time,  there  is  but  little  pros- 
pect of  a  cure.  In  two  hours  after  giving  the  above  drench, 
repeat  it,  but  leave  out  the  digitalis ;  or,  what  is  better,  use  in 
place  of  it  one  ounce  of  tincture  of  lobelia.  This  dose  is  to  be 
repeated  every  two  hours  until  the  breathing  is  easy  or  natural. 
Then  give  carbonate  of  ammonia,  sixty  grains,  in  a  pint  of  warm 
water,  every  two  hours,  until  the  horse  is  well. 

If  the  tartar  emetic  does  not  keep  the  stomach  nauseated  or 
sickened,  five  or  ten  grains  more  might  be  added  to  the  dose. 
And  if  the  pulse  should  rise  again  after  the  first  dose  containing 
the  digitalis  is  given,  it  may  be  repeated  again.  The  object  of 
it  is  to  keep  the  pulse  down. 

After  the  blister  has  raised  and  broke,  a  sheet  wrung  out  of 
cold  water  should  be  thrown  over  the  horse,  and  about  two 
heavy,  dry  blankets  thrown  over  it  and  bound  on.  This  will  aid 
in  producing  perspiration,  and  do  much  good.  Sweating  is  a 
valuable  means  of  cure  in  this  disease. 

During  the  treatment  the  horse  should  be  kept  in  a  comforta- 
ble stall  or  shed,  where  he  can  breathe  plenty  of  fresh,  pure  air, 
for  the  purpose  of  purifying  the  blood. 

When  the  horse  commences  eating,  he  might  have  a  little 


PLEURISY.  25 

clean  hay,  bran,  scalded  shorts,  or  cut  feed  ;  but  by  no  means 
should  he  be  allowed  to  gorge  himself. 

I  have  said  nothing  about  the  bowels  in  treating  this  disease. 
It  must  not  be  supposed  that,  because  human  doctors  often  give 
their  lung-fever  patients  physic,  the  same  may  be  done  with  the 
horse  laboring  under  this  disease.  If  the  horse's  bowels  are 
costive,  and  it  is  thought  necessary  to  move  them,  an  injection 
is  all  that  it  would  be  safe  to  use.  A  gallon  or  two  of  warm 
.soapsuds,  and  a  couple  of  handfuls  of  salt  dissolved  in  it, 
may  be  used  as  an  injection,  or  the  same  quantity  of  corn-meal 
gruel  may  be  used  for  that  purpose.  An  active  physic  would 
be  equal  to  a  sentence  of  death. 

PLEURISY. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  pleura,  or  thin,  glisteny  mem- 
brane which  lines  the  inside  of  the  chest  and  covers  the  lungs. 
It  is  a  very  active  disease,  and  wall  very  soon  destroy  the  horse, 
if  not  promptly  treated.  The  symptoms  of  this  disease  and 
lung  fever  are  very  nearly  the  same.  Indeed,  the  two  diseases 
may  both  affect  the  horse  at  once,  commencing  at  the  same 
time ;  or  one  commencing  and  then  the  other  coming  on  after- 
ward.    Such  a  case  is  called  pleuro-jmeumonia. 

Symiotoms. — Having  just  described  lung  fever,  it  will  only  be 
necessary  to  point  out  those  symptoms  in  which  pleurisy  differs 
from  it.  The  pulse  furnishes  the  most  marked  difference.  As 
the  blood  in  this  disease  is  not  obstructed  in  its  passage  through 
the  lungs,  as  it  is  in  lung  fever,  w^e  have  not  the  small,  op- 
pressed pulse  of  that  disease,  but  a  hard,  full  pulse,  surely 
indicating  inflammation.  The  feet  and  legs  are  cold,  but  not 
so  cold  as  in  lung  fever.  The  membrane  of  the  nose  is  some- 
wdiat  red,  but  not  so  intensely  red  as  when  the  lungs  are  the 
seat  of  the  inflammation.  If  the  side  of  the  patient  is  pressed 
on  over  the  seat  of  the  disease  in  pleurisy,  pnin  will  be  felt,  as 
indicated  by  the  peculiar  grunt  the  horse  will  give.  The  man- 
ner of  standing,  and  the  obstinacy  with  which  the  horse  keeps  on 


26  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

his  feet,  are  about  the  same  in  both  diseases.  If  it  is  attempted 
to  move  the  horse  round  in  a  short  circle,  he  will  grunt,  and 
show  evident  signs  of  pain,  if  the  pleura  is  inflamed.  This  symp- 
tom may  be  relied  on  to  distinguish  it  from  all  other  diseases. 

Causes. — The  same  causes  described  as  giving  rise  to  lung 
fever  may  cause  pleurisy. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  this  disease  is  just  the  same 
as  described  for  lung  foA^er.  In  this  disease,  however,  a  physic 
might  be  given  without  so  much  danger.  See  treatment  of 
lung  fever. 

If  the  disease  has  terminated  in  a  collection  of  serum,  or 
fluid,  in  the  chest,  the  case  will  prove  fatal,  even  though  the 
horse  may  remain  comfortable  for  a  short  time. 

PLEUKO-PNEUMONIA 

The  above  name  is  given  to  an  inflammation  of  the  lungs 
and  pleura.  It  may  occur  during  the  progress  of  either  pleurisy 
or  lung  fever,  or  both  structures  may  be  attacked  at  once.  The 
disease  generally  assumes  what  is  called  a  typhoid  state. 
Pleuro-pneumonia  has  prevailed  as  an  epidemic  in  different 
j)arts  of  the  country,  in  which  it  has  proved  very  fatal,  destroy- 
ing a  large  portion  of  the  horses. 

Sijmptoms. — In  the  early  stage,  these  resemble  the  symptoms 
of  lung  fever  or  pleurisy.  Prostration  of  strength  very  soon 
comes  on,  and  the  grave  character  of  the  disease  is  apparent. 
The  membrane  of  the  nose  is  of  a  dark,  leaden,  blue  color ;  the 
breath  is  very  oflfensive ;  the  throat  sore,  and  the  glands  about 
the  mouth  and  throat  are  swollen.  The  pulse  is  quick  and 
feeble ;  the  water  is  high  colored,  and  the  dung  scanty,  and 
passed  in  round  lumps.  The  horse  sinks  rapidly,  and  the  coat 
looks  as  if  he  had  been  dead  for  several  days. 

Treatment. — Stimulants  and  tonics  are  called  for  in  this  dis- 
ease. Brandy,  whisky,  carbonate  of  ammonia,  tincture  of 
prickly-ash  berries,  and  Cayenne  pepper,  may  be  given  in 
proper  doses,  and  repeated  every  two  or  three  hours.     Gentian 


BKONCHITIS. 


27 


and  Peruvian  bark  may  be  given.  Also,  salt  may  be  given 
freely  as  a  drench.  I  would  recommend  the  whisky  sweat,  in 
the  beginning,  followed  by  warm  blanketing. 

BRONCHITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
bronchial  tubes,  or  larger  divisions  of  the  windpipe. 

Sijmptoms.—T\iQ  first  symptoms  of  bronchitis  are  much  the 
same  as  those  of  common  cold,  but  more  severe.  There  is 
cough,  and  evident  soreness  of  the  throat,  and  considerable 
fever;  the  mouth  and  nose  are  red;  the  breathing  is  hurried 
and  thick;  the  pulse  is  quick  and  wiry.  Large  quantities  of 
mucus  are  coughed  up  in  some  cases ;  first  of  a  gluey  white 
color,  then  yellow,  and  after  awhile  becoming  greenish,  and  then 
white  again.  It  frequently  prevails  in  an  epidemic  form.  It 
may  leave  the  horse  with  a  chronic  cough. 

Causes. — Exposure  to  sudden  changes  from  heat  to  cold,  or 
sudden  checking  of  perspiration,  from  any  cause,  may  pro- 
duce it. 

Treatment.— ThQ  back  and  under  part  of  the  throat,  and  the 
chest,  should  be  blistered,  using  the  'niqidd  Mister.''  The  horse 
should  be  clothed  warm,  and  the  legs  rubbed  with  flannel 
cloths  frequently.     Internally  give: 

Take— Tartar  etaetic 60  grains. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  digitalis 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  in  warm  water. 

If  the  pulse  is  not  under  the  effect  of  the  medicine  in  two 
nours,  this  dose  may  be  repeated,  leaving  out  the  digitalis. 
Then  the  following  may  be  given,  until  the  disease  is  broken  up : 

Take — Powdered  lobelia  leaves 2  ounces. 

Powdered  blood-root 1  ounce. 

Powdered  ipecac 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  two  tea-spoonfuls  three  times  a  day,  in  warm  flax-seed  tea. 


28  NAVIN  OX  THE  HORSE. 

FOUNDER. 

Several  different  names  have  been  given  to  this  disease.  It 
has  been  called  acute  inflammation  of  the  feet ;  acute  rheuma- 
tism ;  and  some  cases  have  been  named,  from  the  supposed 
cause  of  the  attack,  water-founder,  feed-founder,  etc.  It  is  also 
treated  of  by  writers  under  the  names  of  chest-founder,  body- 
founder,  and  feet-founder;  the  name  being  used  to  designate  the 
location  of  the  disease. 

The  word  founder,  in  seamen's  language,  means  "  filling  with 
water; "  and  it  is  more  than  likely  it  was  used  in  the  first  place 
as  a  name  for  this  disease,  from  its  supposed  origin  in  drinking 
too  much  water.  I  attach  no  particular  meaning  to  the  word. 
I  use  it  simply  as  a  name,  which  has  been  in  long  and  general 
use. 

I  am  certainly  of  the  opinion  that  founder  is  rheumatism. 
But  this  name  is  much  like  the  other.  It  is  derived  from  two 
Greek  words,  one  meaning  "a  watery  humor,"  and  the  other 
meaning  "to  flow."  So  the  same  objection  that  may  be  urged 
against  founder  as  a  name,  may  also  be  brought  against  rheu- 
matism. 

Symjptoms. — Founder  is  generally  very  sudden  in  its  attack, 
in  most  cases  the  disease  being  fully  develoj^ed  before  it  is 
noticed  by  the  owner  or  groom.  In  many  cases  the  horse  will 
be  found,  the  next  morning  after  exposure,  in  a  great  "rack  of 
pain;"  and  a  train  of  symptoms  will  be  observed,  not  always 
the  same,  but  usually  sufficiently  similar  to  point  out  the  nature 
of  the  malady.  But  it  must  not  be  understood  that  founder  is 
always  easily  determined.  It  has  been  overlooked  even  by  the 
veterinary  surgeon. 

That  form  of  the  disease  which  attacks  the  feet,  as  its  prin- 
cij^al  seat,  or  point  of  first  attack,  has  been  called  feet-founder. 

The  first  symptoms  likely  to  attract  attention  will  be  an  un- 
easiness in  standing  on  the  fore-feet,  the  horse  frequently  chang- 
ing the  weight  from  one  to  the  other,  but  avoiding  any  thing 
like  violent  motion  or  pawing.     As  the  inflammation,  which  is 


FOUNDER.  29 

chiefly  located  in  the  sensitive  himell^e,  progresses,  the  pain  and 
tenderness  in  the  feet  increase,  and  symptoms  of  general  dis- 
turbance and  fever  appear.  Redness  of  the  nostrils,  laborious 
or  hard  breathing,  heaving  of  the  flanks,  quick  pulse,  anxious 
expression,  and  sometimes  groaning,  indicate  disease  of  a  vio- 
lent character.  His  restlessness  and  anxiety  increase ;  all  the 
symptoms  become  more  aggravated ;  he  looks  about  as  if  pre- 
paring to  lie  down,  but  evidently  being  afraid  to  attempt  bring- 
ing his  feet  sufficiently  under  him  to  do  so.  At  length,  however, 
after  having  changed  his  feet  until  relief  from  it  is  lost,  and  not 
being  able  to'  lie  down  naturally,  he  drops,  and  continues  lying 
on  his  side,  showing  no  disposition  to  get  up  again.  He  does 
not  manifest  near  so  much  pain  when  down ;  keeps  his  feet  still, 
and  often  raises  his  head  and  looks  at  his  feet,  or  even  rests  his 
muzzle  on  them,  thus  plainly  pointing  out  the  seat  of  his 
misery. 

On  examining  the  feet  affected,  or  feeling  with  the  hand,  they 
will  be  found  hot  and  tender — the  horse  manifesting  pain  on 
pressure,  or  a  very  light  tap  with  a  hammer.  The  artery  at 
the  pastern  will  throb  violently.  If  forced  to  get  up,  he  will 
have  the  greatest  difficulty  in  standing,  or  will  soon  lie  down 
from  intensity  of  pain. 

If  the  disease  is  suffered  to  progress,  the  inflammation  may 
subside,  and  the  horse  gradually  recover ;  but  he  may  die  from 
extreme  suffering  and  exhaustion.  But  the  inflammation  may 
terminate  in  effusion  into  the  cavity  of  the  foot,  and,  as  this 
takes  place,  a  separation  of  the  sensitive  and  horny  lamel- 
lae commences ;  and,  if  this  becomes  complete,  in  a  few  days, 
perhaps  six  or  eight  days  after  the  commencement  of  the  at- 
tack, the  wall  of  the  hoof  will  be  found  to  have  commenced 
separating  from  the  skin.  This  separation  may  continue,  and 
a  new  hoof  eventually  be  formed  in  its  place,  but  the  horse 
would  be  more  apt  to  die ;  but  it  will  be  smaller  and  weaker 
than  the  first.  This  process  is  very  slow  and  harassing,  and 
the  horse  may  die  before  it  is  complete.     I  never  saw  one  to 


30  NAVIN   OlSr   THE   HORSE. 

survive  it.  The  hoof  may  not  separate  entirely,  and  the  coffin- 
bone,  only  being  partially  supported,  descends  and  rests  on  the 
sole,  producing  what  is  called  a  pumiced  foot. 

That  variety  of  founder  called  chest-founder  is  characterized 
by  all  the  general  symptoms  of  the  disease  as  above  described. 
But  the  principal  seat  of  the  inflammation  is  the  muscles  of  the 
breast  and  chest,  which  will  be  found  hot,  tender,  and  swollen. 
There  will  be  great  lameness,  pain,  and  stiifness  in  moving. 
After  the  inflammation  has  subsided,  or  becomes  more  of  a 
chronic  form,  a  great  wasting  away  of  the  muscles  of  the  chest, 
particularly  of  those  about  the  breast,  will  occur,  giving  the 
horse  an  unnatural,  ugly  hoUowness  about  the  breast. 

Body-founder  is  much  of  the  same  character  as  chest-founder; 
the  chief  difference  being,  that  the  tenderness  and  inflamma- 
tion of  the  muscles,  as  well  as  the  lameness,  are  more  general. 

A  peculiar  characteristic  is  its  migratory  (moving)  character, 
or  disposition  to  change  from  one  place  to  another.  It  may 
suddenly  leave  the  body  and  locate  in  the  feet,  or  go  from  the 
feet  to  the  lungs,  or  heart  or  pleura ;  and  when  thus  setting  on 
the  heart,  is  quite  certain  to  prove  fatal.  It  is  this  migratory 
character  of  the  disease,  the  tissues  or  parts  which  it  attacks, 
the  general  train  of  its  symptoms,  and  the  causes  which  are 
known  to  produce  it,  that  establish  its  character  as  rheumatism. 

It  requires  some  care  to  distinguish  founder  from  some  other 
diseases.  I  will  present  a  few  of  the  distinguishing  symptoms. 
It  is,  perhaps,  most  likely  to  be  confounded  with  lung  fever. 

In  lung  fever  the  limbs  are  cold ;  in  founder,  hot.  In  lung  fe- 
ver, can  not  drink ;  in  founder,  no  difficulty  in  drinking.  In  lung 
fever,  can  not  lie  down,  but  stands  still ;  in  founder,  keeps  con- 
stantly moving  when  standing,  and  lies  down  or  drops,  and  con- 
tinues lying,  early  in  the  disease.  In  lung  fever,  certain  peculiar 
sounds  in  the  lungs ;  in  founder,  only  the  natural  ones,  slightly 
increased  by  the  general  fever  present. 

The  quietness  of  the  horse  when  lying  down  will  distinguish 
founder  from  colic  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  in  which  he 


FOUNDER.  31 

lies  down,  rolls,  jumj^s  up,  and  lies  down  again,  etc. ;  and  in 
which  he  points  with  his  muzzle  to  the  side,  while  in  the  most 
common  variety  of  founder  he  points  to  the  feet. 

Causes,  etc. — The  recognized  causes  of  founder  are  quite  as 
various  as  the  symptoms  of  the  disease.  They  are  somewhat 
similar  to  those  that  produce  other  inflammatory  diseases.  A 
sudden  check  of  the  perspiration  through  the  skin,  by  exposing 
the  animal  to  cold  or  wind  when  too  warm,  may  bring  on  an 
attack  of  founder.  It  is  often  brought  on  by  a  particular  part 
of  the  body  being  chilled.  This  is  the  case  when  he  takes  it 
from  drinking  cold  water  when  he  is  hot.  This  chills  the  blood 
in  the  parts  the  water  passes  over  or  comes  in  contact  with,  and, 
by  its  mixing  with  the  rest  of  the  blood  of  the  system,  the  temper- 
ature or  heat  of  the  body  is  suddenly  reduced,  and  perspiration 
through  the  skin  is  checked  just  as  quick  as  if  the  cold  had  been 
applied  to  the  skin.  The  skin  is  constantly  throwing  off  fine 
particles  of  poisonous,  worn-out  matter,  and  poisonous  gases, 
which,  if  kept  back,  must  produce  disease.  When  the  skin  is 
chilled,  as  explained  above,  its  pores  contract  or  draw  up,  and 
these  poisonous  things  can  not  pass  out  through  the  skin,  and 
then,  if  they  do  not  find  some  other  way  to  get  out,  they  produce 
inflammation  of  the  lungs,  feet,  or  other  parts. 

Standing  in  cold  water  when  the  horse  is  hot  is  very  likely 
to  produce  founder.  Washing  the  legs  with  cold  water,  feeding 
the  horse  more  than  he  can  digest  when  tired  and  hungry,  ex- 
posing the  horse  to  rain,  wind,  or  snow,  and  particularly  travel- 
ing through  snow,  are  fruitful  causes.  An  over-feed  at  any  time 
is  often  the  cause  of  founder.  A  sudden  change  from  cold  to 
hot  will  likewise  produce  founder,  as  when  the  horse  has  been 
driven  through  the  cold  and  put  in  a  warm  stable,  and  straw 
piled  up  to  his  knees.  This  invites  such  a  rapid  flow  of  blood 
to  the  feet  as  to  cause  inflammation. 

Some  writers  tell  us  that  founder  is  sometimes  produced  by 
other  diseases  leaving  the  part  aflected  and  going  to  the  feet. 
Inflammation  of  the  eyes,  lungs,  bowels,  etc.,  have  been  known 


32  NAVl?f   ON   THE   HORSE. 

thus  to  change  tlicir  location.  I  think,  however,  in  all  such 
cases  the  disease  was  of  a  rheumatic  character  from  the  first. 

Severe  or  long-continued  racing,  or  traveling  on  hard  roads, 
is  a  very  common  cause  of  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  la- 
mella?. These  parts,  being  over-strained  or  excessively  exer- 
cised, are  very  liable  to  become  inflamed,  and  especially  if,  from 
constitutional  predisposition  or  bad  management,  his  system  is 
in  a  condition  favorable  to  take  on  founder. 

Treatment. — This  is  a  disease  which,  if  not  arrested  soon,  will 
very  likely  be  attended  by  very  serious  consequences,  either  the 
entire  destruction  of  the  feet,  permanent  lameness,  or  death. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  bleed,  from  the  neck,  about  six 
or  seven  quarts,  from  a  large  opening  in  the  vein ;  or,  both  the 
neck-vein  and  the  vein  of  the  leg  may  be  opened.  As  soon  as 
possible  give  the  following : 

Take — Spirits  of  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Oil  of  sassafras 1  ounce. 

Alum,  powdered 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

Bathe  the  legs  with  warm  water.  Take  off  the  shoes  and 
pare  out  the  bottoms  of  the  feet,  removing  all  the  dead  horn. 
Fill  the  hoofs  with  very  hot  lard,  and  hold  them  until  it  cools. 
Then  put  on  the  shoes  again.  If  necessary,  the  drench  may  be 
repeated  in  twelve  hours,  and  so  on  until  cured.  If  the  inflam- 
mation should  remove  to  the  lungs,  it  will  have  to  be  treated 
for  lung  fever.  Allow  the  horse  light  feed  and  rest  for  a  few 
days. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BOWELS. 

The  mucous  membrane,  or  inner  lining  of  the  intestines,  is 
liable  to  become  inflamed,  and  which,  in  scientific  language,  is 
called  enteritis^  and,  in  common  language,  inflammation  of  the 
boivels.     It  is  a  very  dangerous  disease  if  neglected  or  badly 


rXFLAMMATIOX    OF    THE    BOWELS.  33 

treated.  It  is  also  a  disease  which  is  often  mistaken  for  some 
other  ailment;  and  hence  its  symptoms  should  be  carefully 
studied,  as  the  only  sure  way  to  avoid  mistakes. 

Symjitoms. — If  the  horse  be  carefully  observed,  there  will  be 
seen  symptoms  of  fever  present;  but  after  awhile  there  will 
be  observed  restlessness,  looking  around  at  the  side,  and  ten- 
derness of  the  bowels,  on  pressure  by  the  hand.  And  though 
the  symptoms,  in  the  earlier  stage  of  the  disease,  somewhat 
resemble  those  of  colic,  the  pain  will  be  found  to  be  continuous, 
while  in  colic  it  comes  on  by  sj^ells.  In  inflammation  of  the 
bowels,  the  pulse  is  increased  in  frequenc}^,  and  increases  as  the 
disease  progresses.  The  belly  becomes  very  tender,  and  the 
slightest  pressure  on  it  gives  great  pain ;  it  is  tight,  and  drawn, 
up;  the  nostrils  open  wide,  and  the  breathing  is  very  rapid. 
Some  degree  of  heat  about  the  mouth,  and  redness  of  the  inside^ 
of  the  nose  and  mouth,  will  be  observed.  To  move  seems  to 
increase  his  pain  ;  he  looks  anxiously  at  his  flanks,  and  groans ;. 
he  champs  and  grinds  his  teeth  together ;  he  lies  down  at  full 
length  on  his  side,  throws  his  head  back,  and  paws  with  his 
fore-feet.  He  sweats  profusely ;  becomes  weak  and  tremulous ; 
the  eyes  become  glary;  the  lips  hang  loosely;  the  sweat  be- 
comes cold,  and  the  powers  of  life  fail.  During  the  progress, 
of  the  disease,  the  bowels  may  be  costive,  and  the  balls  of 
dung  passed  covered  with  mucus.  But  inflammation  of  the^ 
bowels  may  be  caused  by  over-action  of  physic,  and,  when  so- 
caused,  the  bowels  will  be  very  loose  during  the  progress  of  the- 
disease. 

The  diseases  for  which  inflammation  of  the  inner  coat  of  the- 
bowels  may  be  mistaken,  are  its  kindred  diseases — inflamma- 
tion of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  inflammation  of  the  ^m~ 
toneum,  or  outer  covering  of  the  bowels,  and  for  colic. 

To  distinguish  it  from  colic,  see  the  article  on  that  disease,, 
where  the  principal  differences  are  given,  side  by  side. 

The  symptoms  of  inflammation  of  the  outer  covering  of  the 
bowels  are  more  severe,  and  the  disease  runs  its  course  more 
3 


34  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

rapidly  than  in  inflammation  of  the  mucous  lining  of  the  bow- 
els. Careful  attention  to  the  symptoms  may  show  which  it  is. 
However,  the  treatment  for  both  diseases  is  nearly  the  same, 
and  the  mistaking  the  one  for  the  other  would  not  be  likely  to 
prove  serious. 

Inflammation  of  the  stomach  and  bowels  is  attended  with 
much  greater  disturbance  of  other  parts  of  the  system  than 
either  of  the  other  two  diseases  under  consideration. 

Causes. — The  causes  which  may  give  rise  to  an  attack  of  in- 
flammation of  the  mucous  or  inner  coat  of  the  bowels  are 
quite  numerous.  Too  powerful  physicking  has  already  been  re- 
ferred to  as  causing  it.  It  is  also  one  of  the  results  of  colic, 
.and  the  certain  effect  of  those  strange  tanglings  of  the  guts, 
<lescribed  under  the  head  of  knotting  of  the  bowels.  Any  thing 
that  will  give  rise  to  irritation  of  the  bowels  may  cause  jt: 
•exposure  to  cold  or  wet,  as  standing  in  the  rain,  or  being  ex- 
posed to  a  heavy  draught,  after  being  worked  hard.  A  change 
from  dry  to  green  feed,  or  unwholesome  food,  may  cause  it. 
•Costiveness  will  often  be  found  to  be  the  cause.  The  contents 
of  the  bowels  becoming  dried  up,  necessarily  produces  irritation, 
.and  this  may  result  in  inflammation.    Over-fatigue  may  cause  it. 

Treatment. — Few  diseases  require  more  prompt  or  more  en- 
'Crgetic  treatment  than  inflammation  of  the  bowels.  It  runs 
its  course  very  rapidly,  and,  without  proper  treatment,  proves 
Tery  fatal.  It  requires  the  most  energetic  measures  we  can 
make  use  of  for  its  removal ;  and  as  bleeding  is,  beyond  doubt, 
the  most  prompt  in  overcoming  inflammation  of  any  means  we 
possess,  it  is  especially  called  for  in  this  disease.  As  soon, 
then,  as  the  case  is  found  to  be  one  of  inflammation  of  the 
bowels,  bleed  from  six  to  ten  quarts,  or  until  the  pulse  becomes 
full  and  round.  At  any  time  afterward,  during  the  treatment 
'Of  the  case,  if  the  inflammation  should  be  observed  to  be  com- 
ing up  again,  another  bleeding  may  be  necessary;  but  the 
•desired  effect  on  the  pulse  may  not  require  so  much  blood  to 
^e  taken  as  before. 


INFLAMMATION    OF    THE    PERITONEUM.  35 

Immediately  after  the  first  bleeding,  inject  the  following  into 
the  rectum,  for  the  purpose  of  opening  the  bowels.  It  will  not 
do  to  give  common  physic.  Warm  water,  one  gallon,  with 
half  an  ounce  of  aloes  dissolved  in  it,  and  a  pint  of  linseed  oil 
mixed  in.  If  the  horse  is  very  weak,  use  thin  gruel  in  place 
of  the  water.  If  the  horse  will  drink  water,  about  milk-warm, 
let  him  have  it  freely. 

After  the  injection  has  been  given,  apply  a  blister,  extending 
from  the  point  of  the  breast-bone  back  under  the  belly,  and 
about  six  inches  up  over  the  seat  of  greatest  tenderness  on  the 
side.     For  this  purpose  use  the  liquid  blister. 

After  the  blister  has  raised,  and  the  horse  becomes  quiet, 
administer  the  following  drench : 

Take — Warm  water 1  quart. 

Powdered  aloes 2  drams. 

Linseed  oil 1  pint. 

Mix.     This  will  open  the  bowels  and  not  irritate  them. 

As  soon  as  possible,  bandage  the  legs  thick,  and  keep  the 
clothes  wet  with  warm  water.  They  must  not  be  allowed  to 
get  cold.  He  may  be  allowed  to  drink  thin  gruel  after  the 
active  symptoms  of  the  disease  pass  off.  When  recovering,  he 
may  have  bran  mashes  and  scalded  shorts. 

If  the  case  is  caused  by  over-physicking,  and  the  purging  is 
violent,  give  the  horse  plenty  of  thin  gruel  or  starch.  It  can 
be  given  as  a  drench,  a  quart  at  a  time.  By  this  means  the 
bowels  are  soothed,  and  the  remains  of  any  thing  that  was 
irritating  them  may  be  carried  off.  After  ten  or  twelve  hours, 
if  the  purging  has  not  stopped,  treat  it  as  recommended  for 
diarrhea,  which  see. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PERITONEUM. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  that  extensive,  tough,  smooth 
membrane  which  lines  the  inside  of  the  walls  of  the  abdomen 
(or  belly),  and  which  is  thrown  in  folds  around  all  of  the  bowels 


36  NAVIX   0^^   THE   HORSE. 

and  organs  within  the  belly.     It  is  a  very  severe  form  of  in 
flammation,  and  often  proves  fatal.     The  inflammation  is  gen- 
erally confined  to  only  a  part  of  the  peritoneum. 

Symptoms. — Inflammation  of  the  peritoneum,  or  investing 
membrane  of  the  bowels,  is  characterized  by  very  nearly  the 
same  symptoms  as  inflammation  of  the  inner  coat  of  the  bowels. 
It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  distinguish  them.  For  this  re'ason 
their  symptoms  should  be  well  studied. 

The  attack  of  inflammation  of  the  peritoneum  is  often  ush- 
ered in  by  a  distinct  chill,  as  shown  by  his  shivering.  Kestless- 
ness  and  fever  follow  the  chill,  or  will  be  observed  when  no  chill 
may  have  been  perceived.  The  mouth  will  be  found  to  be  hot- 
ter than  natural,  and  the  nostrils  red.  The  symptoms  of  pain 
soon  become  very  severe,  as  shown  by  the  horse  pawing,  striking 
at  his  belly,  groaning,  looking  at  his  flanks,  and  rolling.  The 
bowels  will  be  very  costive,  and  great  tenderness  and  often  heat 
of  the  belly  over  the  seat  of  the  inflammation.  The  pulse  w^ill 
be  quick  and  small,  and  the  ears  and  legs  cold.  Profuse  sweat- 
ing and  great  weakness,  and  the  most  anxious  expression  of  the 
countenance,  indicate  the  advanced  stage  of  the  disease.  The 
progress  of  this  disease  is  very  rapid. 

It  is  best  distinguished  from  inflammation  of  the  internal 
coat  of  the  bowels  by  the  greater  severity  of  the  misery  and  its 
ver}^  rapid  progress.  To  distinguish  it  from  colic,  see  that  dis- 
ease. It  is  often  called  bots  by  the  ignorant.  Avoid  this  fool- 
ish error. 

Causes. — Cold  is  the  great  cause  of  inflammation  of  every 
kind.  The  animal  being  heated  and  perspiring,  or  sweating, 
and  then  suddenly  exposed  to  the  cold  air  or  rain,  checks  the 
perspiration,  and  irritation  or  inflammation  of  some  internal 
part  is  almost  sure  to  follow.  A  horse  that  is  kept  in  the  stable 
and  used  but  little,  and  then  worked  until  he  becomes  heated, 
and  allowed  to  stand  in  the  cold  or  exposed  to  a  shower,  or  if 
his  belly  be  washed  with  cold  water,  will  be  very  likely  to  be 
attacked  by  inflammation  of  the  peritoneum. 


IXFLAMMATIOX   OF    THE    LIVER — OF    THE    KIDNEYS.  37 

Treatment. — The  treatment  recommended  for  inflammation  of 
the  bowels  is  the  best  that  can  be  pursued  in  this  disease.  But 
the  bleeding  may  be  carried  to  a  greater  extent,  and  the  blister- 
ing may  extend  further  up  on  the  sides.  In  addition  to  the 
means  there  made  use  of,  I  would  recommend  the  use  of  the 
udiisky  sweat  for  one  hour  at  some  early  period  of  the  treat- 
ment. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LIVER. 

This  is  not  a  very  common  disease  in  the  horse,  but  is  a  very 
severe  one  when  it  does  happen. 

Sijmjjtoms.—TliQUQ  are  nearly  the  same  as  the  symptoms  of 
inflammation  of  the  bowels.  The  pain  and  tenderness  will  be 
more  confined  to  the  seat  of  the  liver.  But  the  principal  sign 
by  which  it  is  to  be  known  from  inflammation  of  the  bowels  is 
the  rapid  appearance  of  yellowness  of  the  mouth  and  eyes. 
Even  this  yellowness  may  not,  in  some  cases,  be  present,  or  so 
slight  as  not  to  be  observed. 

Causes. — Food  that  is  capable  of  producing  over-stimulation 
of  the  liver,  and,  after  exposure  to  severe  exercise  and  cold,  may 
cause  an  attack  of  inflammation  of  the  liver.  It  may  be  fol- 
lowed by  jaundice,  or  softening  of  the  liver. 

Treatment. — A  large  blister  should  be  applied  over  the  liver. 
The  following  cathartic  should  then  be  given  : 

Take — Powdered  aloes 1  ounce. 

Powdered  May-apple  root 4  drams. 

Powdered  ginger 2  drams. 

^Yarnl  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.  After  it  acts  on  the  bowels,  give  one  dram  of  the 
May-apple  root,  in  warm  water,  every  twelve  hours,  to  keep  up  its  action  on  the 
liver.     Let  the  horse  have  light  diet  until  well. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

This  disease  is  of  more  frequent  occurrence  than  might  be 
supposed.  It  is  met  with  in  the  acute  and  chronic  form.  We 
are  considering  first  the  acute  form. 


S8  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

Symptoms. — A  straddling  in  the  hind-legs,  a  constant  strain- 
ing and  effort  to  make  water,  the  water  being  passed  in  small 
quantity,  and  sometimes  bloody,  but  mostly  natural  in  appear- 
ance, are  common  symptoms.  Pressing  over  the  kidneys  will 
show  that  it  produces  pain.  The  pulse  and  breathing  are  in- 
creased. 

Causes. — Strain  of  the  kidneys  will  cause  inflammation  in 
them.  A  lick  over  the  kidneys,  the  foolish  use  of  diuretic  medi- 
cines, too  free  use  of  turpentine  or  resin,  will  cause  it.  Blisters 
may  sometimes  cause  it.  A  blister  all  around  the  leg  is  said  to 
cause  it,  or  strangury. 

Treatment. — The  object  in  this  case  is  to  reduce  the  inflamma- 
tion in  the  kidneys ;  and,  for  several  reasons,  many  difficulties 
stand  in  the  way.  The  urine  itself  becomes  very  irritating  to 
the  diseased  kidneys.  Their  great  distance  from  the  surface 
and  from  the  center  of  circulation  render  them  difficult  to  influ- 
ence by  treatment.  The  treatment  should  be  prompt  and  act- 
ive. At  least  six  or  eight  quarts  of  blood  should  be  taken  from 
the  neck-vein.     At  the  same  time  a  physic  should  be  given. 

Take — Aloes,  powdered 8  drams. 

Podophyllin 20  grains. 

Mix,  and  give  in  a  pint  of  warm  water,  as  a  drench.  Twelve  hours  after  the 
physic  has  been  given,  have  the  horse  walk  around  a  little,  to  cause  it  to  act 
better. 

The  loins,  over  the  kidneys,  should  be  rubbed  thoroughly  with 
the  following : 

Take— Alcohol 1  pint- 

Powdered  capsicum 1  ounce 

Aqua  ammonia 2  pi^t. 

Mix.     This  may  be  repeated  in  a  day  or  two. 

The  horse  may  drink  cold  water.  Flax-seed  tea  may  be  given 
freely.  He  may  eat  scalded  shorts,  thin  gruel,  and  chop-feed, 
or  any  thing  not  stimulating. 


IXFLAMMATIOX    OF    THE    BLADDER.  39 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BLADDER. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane,  or  inner 
lining:  of  the  bladder. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  inflammation  of  the  bladder 
are  :  Considerable  fever,  great  anxiety  of  the  countenance,  con- 
stant straining  eflbrts  to  pass  water,  but  very  little  being  passed, 
and  that  dribbling  away.  The  horse  straddles  as  he  moves  about, 
as  if  fearing  to  bring  his  thighs  together.  The  means  of  dis- 
tiuQ-uishinii:  inflammation  of  the  bladder  from  inflammation  of 
the  kidneys  are :  In  inflammation  of  the  kidneys  there  will  be 
tenderness  over  the  kidneys  on  pressure,  but  not  in  inflamma- 
tion of  the  bladder ;  in  inflammation  of  the  bladder,  if  the  hand 
is  passed  into  the  rectum  or  last  gut,  the  bladder  can  be  felt 
under  it,  and  it  will  be  swollen  hard  and  very  hot ;  in  inflam- 
mation of  the  kidneys  the  bladder  will  be  felt,  but  not  generally 
so  full,  and  Avill  not  be  hotter  than  natural,  or  than  the  other 
parts  about  the  hand.  This  is  the  best  way  of  distinguishing 
the  two  diseases. 

Causes. — This  disease  may  arise,  as  other  inflammatory  dis- 
eases, from  exposure  to  cold,  overheat,  and  sudden  checking  of 
the  perspiration,  etc.  It  may  be  caused  by  irritating  medicines 
given  the  horse  for  other  disorders,  or  stones  in  the  bladder 
may  cause  it.  Disease  of  other  parts  near  the  bladder  may 
cause  the  bladder  to  become  inflamed. 

Treatment. — If  the  treatment  is  not  such  as  to  give  relief  very 
soon,  a  fatal  termination  will  be  the  result.  There  is  no  time 
for  trifling.  The  same  amount  of  blood  should  be  taken  as  in 
inflammation  of  the  kidneys ;  also,  the  same  cathartic  given. 

For  the  purpose  of  lessening  the  action  of  the  heart  and  ar- 
teries, and  relaxing  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  give  the  following : 

Take — Powdered  lobelia  herb 1  ounce. 

Powdered  blood-root 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  divide  in  eight  equal  parts.  One  part  to  be  given  every  three  hours 
in  a  pint  of  warm  water,  as  a  drench. 


40  NAYIX   OX   THE   IIOKSE. 

Commence  the  use  of  the  above  one  hour  after  the  cathartic  is 
given.  If  the  patient  is  a  mare,  the  water  may  be  easily  drawn 
off  with  a  catheter.  If  a  horse,  an  operation  will  be  necessary. 
See  the  article  on  tlie  catheter.  The  whisky  sweat  is  a  very  valua- 
ble agent  in  this  disease.  It  may  be  used  every  day.  Or,  the  wet 
sheet  may  be  used,  and  will  do  much  good.  See  the  article,  wet 
packing.  Marsh-mallow,  slij)pery-elm,  or  gum-arabic  water  may 
be  given  freely.  He  should  be  kept  warm,  and  have  fresh  air. 
The  diet,  for  several  days,  should  be  light,  but  not  stimulating. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  WOMB. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  uterus,  or  womb,  which  at- 
tacks mares  a  few  days  after  foaling,  or  after  an  abortion. 

S/jnijjtoms. — This  disease  commences  with  the  same  symptoms 
which  attend  most  inflammatory  diseases — a  chill,  followed 
with  rapid  breathing,  high  pulse,  redness  of  the  nostrils,  and 
cold  extremities  or  legs.  The  symptoms  which  will  enable  the 
observer  to  tell  that  it  is  a  case  of  inflammation  of  the  womb 
are,  the  time  at  which  it  occurs,  the  tenderness  and  hardness 
which  can  be  felt  at  the  back  part  of  the  loins,  and  the  free 
sweating  there.  When  up,  the  mare  stands  with  her  hind-legs 
wide  apart,  but  she  lies  dovv'n  most  of  the  time.  The  bearing 
will  be  swollen,  and,  on  opening  it,  the  vagina,  or  passage  to 
the  womb,  will  be  very  red  and  hot. 

Causes. — Severe  labor,  taking  cold  after  foaling,  or  the  mem- 
branes which  envelope  the  colt  not  coming  away,  may  cause  it. 
Mares  that  are  in  good  condition  are  most  liable  to  it. 

Treatment. — This  must  be  prompt  and  vigorous,  or  it  can  be 
of  but  little  value.     Bleed  from  the  neck-vein  largely.     Then : 

Take — Tartar  emetic GO  grains. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  digitalis 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  in  one  pint  of  warm  water  as  a  drench. 

After  two  hours  give  the  same,  leaving  out  the  digitalis,  and 


FEVER.  41 

SO  on  until  the  inflammation  is  subdued.  Then  give  sixty 
grains  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  every  two  hours,  in  warm 
water,  until  the  strength  and  health  seem  restored.  Hub  the 
legs  with  alcohol,  one  pint,  and  capsicum,  one  ounce.  If  the 
bowels  are  costive  at  the  start,  give  forty  grains  of  podophyllin. 


GENEEAL  FEVEES-ALL  CONTAGIOUS. 

FEVER. 

The  subject  of  fever  is  one  which  has  perplexed  the  minds 
of  medical  men  from  the  beginning  of  medical  investigation. 
I  do  not  propose  to  examine  the  different  theories  that  have 
been  advanced.  I  only  propose  to  give  what  seems  to  me  to 
be  a  reasonable  explanation  of  it.  Fever  is  an  increase  of  the 
heat  or  temperature  of  the  animal  body.  It  is  a  remarkable 
fact  that,  in  the  state  of  health,  though  there  are  several 
sources  of  heat  in  the  animal  bod}^,  and  as  many  agencies  op- 
erating on  it  of  a  cooling  nature,  there  is  never  a  change  in  the 
temperature  of  the  body  of  any  consequence  j  not,  in  the  ex- 
treme, amounting  to  over  one  or  two  degrees.  'Now,  when  this 
temperature  or  animal  heat  becomes  increased,  that  unhealthy 
condition  called  fever  exists.  That  it  is  an  unhealthy  condition 
is  clear,  from  the  fact  that,  if  such  increased  heat  were  to  con- 
tinue, the  life  of  the  animal  would,  in  no  great  time,  be  destroyed. 
The  principal  source  of  heat  in  the  animal  body  is  the  combus- 
tion which  takes  place  between  the  oxygen  of  the  air,  taken  in 
by  the  lungs,  and  the  carbon  carried  in  the  blood.  Other 
chemical  actions  going  on  in  the  system  produce  heat ;  and,  if  it 
were  not  for  the  cooling  processes  spoken  of,  this  heat  w^ould  soon 
become  so  great  as  to  carry  destruction  to  every  part  of  the 
system.  Now,  if,  from  any  cause,  that  balance  between  the 
chemical  actions  producing  heat  and   those  processes  cooling 


42  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

the  system  become  disturbed,  so  that  the  former  are  greatly 
increased  or  the  latter  diminished,  fever  will  be  the  result.  It 
matters  not  whether  this  disturbance  in  the  system  be  brought 
about  by  a  checking  of  perspiration,  causing  obstruction  and 
then  infl-ammation  in  some  organ,  as  the  lungs,  pleura,  etc.,  or 
whether  it  be  the  result  of  contagion  or  miasma,  received 
through  the  lungs,  the  result,  in  either  case,  is  fever.  A  fever 
which  is  produced,  in  the  first  place,  by  a  cause  acting  generally, 
may  locate  its  principal  ravages  in  some  particular  organ  or 
part.  Each  type  of  fever  expends  its  most  destructive  power 
on  some  particular  part  of  the  system. 

Those  diseases  commonly  termed  fevers  are  not  so  common 
among  horses  as  among  the  human  family.  Simple  scarlet 
fever,  malignant  scarlet  fever,  and  putrid  and  typhus  fevers, 
deserve  a  brief  notice. 

SIMPLE  SCARLET  FEVER. 

Simple  scarlet  fever  will  generally  be  observed  to  come  on 
when  the  horse  is  laboring  under  epidemic  catarrh,  and  about 
the  third  or  fourth  day  of  the  attack,  and  very  often  when  the 
case  was  doing  well.  The  symptoms  which  indicate  its  pres- 
ence are :  The  hair  about  the  head  and  neck  will  be  found  ele- 
vated or  turned  up  in  spots,  and  the  same  appearance  on  the 
limbs,  which  will  also  be  swollen.  The  skin  under  these  s^Dots 
is  only  a  little  thickened.  The  most  decided  symptom  is  the 
scarlet  spots  on  the  inside  of  the  nose,  of  different  sizes.  There 
may  be  soreness  of  the  throat,  or  it  may  be  free  from  any  thing 
of  the  kind.  Of  course,  some  degree  of  general  fever  attends 
the  case.  If  promptly  and  properly  managed,  the  disease  con- 
tinues mild  until  its  termination.  But  it  may  run  into  the 
malignant  form  of  the  disease,  or  death  may  result  from  the 
blood  becoming  broken  down  by  the  disease. 

Treatment. — The  horse  should  be  placed  in  a  dry,  clean  stable, 
where  he  will  have  pure  air.  lie  should  have  light  diet  at 
first,  but,  as  the  disease  subsides,  a  little  stronger  food.     Water, 


MALIGXAXT    SCAELET    FEVEE.  43 

made  slightly  sour  with  cream  of  tartar,  is  a  good  drink  while 
there  is  fever.  The  free  use  of  salt  will  be  beneficial  in  this 
case.  If  the  bowels  become  costive,  give  about  thirty  grains 
of  podophyllin  in  a  pint  of  water.  If  there  is  much  fever,  and 
the  case  seems  to  be  becoming  bad,  some  medicine  may  be  re- 
quired more  than  above. 

Take — Tincture  of  belladonna 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  wild  indigo 4  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  table-spoonful  in  water,  as  a  drench,  every  eight  hours. 

The  dose  may  be  increased  about  one-fourth  part  the  second 
day. 

When  getting  well,  the  horse  needs  good  feeding. 

MALIGNANT  SCARLET  FEVER. 

This  is  only  the  severe  form  of  the  disease.  The  case  may 
be  so  marked  from  the  first  that  it  can  not  be  doubted  that  it 
IS  going  to  be  the  malignant  form  of  the  disease.  A  case,  mild 
at  first,  may  run  into  the  malignant  form. 

Symptoms. — The  usual  symptoms  of  cold,  after  a  few  days, 
are  follow^ed  by  obstinate  soreness  of  the  throat,  weakness, 
fever,  a  mattery  discharge  from  the  nose,  and  loss  of  appetite. 
Hot,  hard,  and  painful  swelling  of  the  limbs  takes  place,  and 
the  same  blotched  or  spotted  appearance  of  the  hair  described 
in  the  other  form  of  the  disease.  Large-sized  spots,  of  a  deep 
scarlet  color,  appear  in  the  nostrils,  and  a  discharge  of  bloody 
water  runs  from  them.  The  soreness  of  the  throat,  the  diffi- 
culty in  swallow^ing,  and  the  cough  become  w^orse.  The 
breathing  is  much  oppressed,  and  the  pulse  may  reach  ninety 
or  one  hundred  per  minute.  The  swollen  limbs  become  very 
tender,  and  the  horse  will  stand  in  a  fixed  position  for  hours, 
and  will  hardly  move.  The  disease  progresses,  and  after 
awhile  blisters  appear  on  the  limbs,  and  about  the  joints  par- 
ticularly. After  awhile  these  blisters  burst  and  discharge  an 
amber-colored  fluid,  which  irritates  the  parts  it  runs  over, 


44  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

and  a  sloughing  sore  takes  the  phice  of  the  blister.  The 
bowels  are  costive;  the  water  scant,  thick,  and  high  colored, 
The  scarlet  spots  in  the  nose  become  darker,  and  mattering 
sores  take  their  places.  Some  very  singular  appearances 
sometimes  occur.  A  portion  of  the  ear  may  dry  up,  and  in 
a  few  days  break  oif,  leaving  a  mattering  sore.  The  duration 
of  the  attack,  from  the  commencement  of  the  malignant 
symptoms,  is  generally  from  five  to  eight  days.  Improvement 
should  take  place  in  that  time,  if  the  case  is  going  to  term- 
inate favorably. 

Causes. — But  little  light  can  be  thrown  on  the  cause  of 
scarlet  fever.     It  is  often  owing  to  epidemic  influence. 

Treatment. — A  clean  stable,  pure  air,  and  good,  wholesome, 
soft  feed,  well  seasoned  with  salt,  are  important  in  this  disease. 
I  should  use  the  following  articles  from  the  commencement, 
with  a  view  of  the  specific  effect  of  the  belladonna,  and  the 
stimulant  and  antiseptic  effect  of  the  wild  indigo : 

Take — Tincture  of  belladonna 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  wild  indigo 4  ounces. 

Mix.  Dose — One  table-spoonful  three  times  a  day,  and  increase  the  dose 
one  tea-spoonful  every  day  for  two  days,  and  then  continue  its  use.  To  be 
given  in  water,  as  a  drench,  or  in  the  horse's  drink. 

I  would  give,  also,  to  keep  the  bowels  open,  about  ten  or 
fifteen  grains  of  podophyllin,  once  a  day,  with  one  of  the 
above  doses.  In  view  of  more  perfectly  relieving  the  sore- 
ness of  the  throat,  and  for  its  effects  on  the  system,  the  follow- 
ing may  be  used: 

Take — Compound  tincture  of  myrrh  and  capsicum,  1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  cubcbs 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  at  a  dose,  in  half  a  pint  of  water.     To  be  given  twice  a  day. 

The  following  ointment  may  be  applied  to  the  sores : 

Take — Finely-powdered  myrrh 4  drams. 

Finely-powdered  camphor 2  drams 

Lard ^  pint. 

Mix,  to  form  an  ointment. 


TYPHUS    FEYEK.  45 

If  the  sores  do  not  look  as  if  tliey  ^\ere  going  to  heal,  sprinkle 
them  with  burnt  aliun  before  using  the  ointment. 

After  the  horse  is  well,  he  will  require  good  care  and  feeding 
to  get  him  fit  for  use.  Some  simple  tonic,  as  golden-seal  and 
poplar-bark,  might  be  giYen  once  or  twice  a  day,  in  doses  of  one 
or  two  drams  of  the  golden-seal,  and  one  ounce  of  the  poplar- 
bark,  in  the  feed. 

TYPHUS  FEVER. 

This  disease  is  not  YerY  often  met  with  amonc;  horses.  It  is 
a  low  form  of  general  foYor,  but  its  principal  evil  effects  being 
expended  on  the  lungs  or  bowels. 

Symptoms. — The  teeth,  tongue,  and  mouth  are  Yery  oifensiYe 
and  coated ;  the  pulse  is  quick,  soft,  and  feeble ;  the  breath  is 
Yery  oifensive ;  the  color  of  the  membrane  of  the  nose  is  dark. 
As  the  disease  progresses,  the  coat  on  the  tongue  and  teeth  be- 
comes dark,  and  cracks  on  the  tongue  appear,  and  the  gums 
bleed.  There  is  great  thirst,  and  no  appetite.  If  the  hand  is 
passed  over  the  body,  small  lumps  or  eruptions  may  be  felt : 
these  are  characteristic  of  the  disease. 

When  the  lungs  are  principally  affected,  the  breathing  will 
6e  very  difficult,  and  the  bowels  costive ;  but  when  the  bowels 
are  the  main  seat  of  injury,  they  will  be  loose ;  the  discharge 
will  be  dark,  slimy,  and  offensive.  jMortification  terminates  the 
case,  when  it  proves  fatal. 

Treatment. — I  should  give  water,  made  sour  with  cider,  cream 
of  tartar,  or  vinegar,  as  a  drink.  In  the  early  stage,  give  fifty 
grains  of  podophyllin.     Then  : 

Take — Tincture  of  prickly-ash  berries 4  ounces. 

Tincture  of  wild  indigo 4  ounces. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  two  table-spoonfuls  every  four  hours,  in  a  pint  of  water,  as 
a  drench. 

This  disease  is  infectious,  and,  probably,  contagious. 


46  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

PUTRID  FEVER. 

This  disease  has  committed  great  ravages  in  those  portions 
of  country  where  it  has  prevailed.  Where  it  has  appeared  as 
an  epidemic,  it  has  carried  off  about  two-thirds  of  the  horses. 

Symptoms.— 1  shall  only  give  such  a  description  of  this  malady 
as  will  enable  the  reader  to  recognize  it  when  it  makes  its  ap- 
pearance. Great  weakness  and  prostration,  which  rapidly  in- 
crease. The  horse  walks  in  a  wrangling  or  striding  manner ;  is 
very  thirsty,  and  would  appear  to  drink  enormously,  from  the 
time  he  continues  at  the  trough,  but  he  is  unable  to  swallow. 
He  finally  lies  down,  and  is  too  weak  to  get  up  again  ;  he  paws, 
and  shows  great  signs  of  pain.  The  pulse  is  very  weak ;  the 
breathing  is  short,  and  a  rattling  sound  is  in  the  throat ;  a  froth 
like  soapsuds  obstructs  the  air  passages ;  the  horse  coughs,  but 
is  too  weak  to  effect  any  thing.  Very  great  congestion  of  the 
lungs  soon  takes  place ;  the  pulse  becomes  weak,  the  legs  and 
ears  cold.  Sometimes  a  great  discharge  of  saliva  takes  place 
from  the  mouth,  and  the  breath  is  very  offensive.  The  bowels 
are  generally  costive,  but  when  discharges  do  take  place,  they 
are  covered  with  slime.  The  temperature  of  the  skin  is  gen 
erally  below  health,  but  sometimes  the  heat  rises  very  high. 
The  countenance  is  anxious  and  haggard.  Epidemic  influence 
seems  to  be  the  cause  of  this  fearful  plague. 

Treatment. — In  cases  where  the  strength  is  not  extremely  en- 
feebled, give  the  following : 

Take — Powdered  camphor 1  dram. 

Powdered  niter , J  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  in  half  a  pint  of  warm  water,  as  a  drench.  To  be  given  every 
six  hours. 

To  act  on  the  bowels  give  one  ounce  of  aloes,  thirty  grains  of 
podophyllin,  and  half  an  ounce  of  capsicum,  in  a  pint  of  warm 
water.  If  the  strength  fails  after  the  flow  of  water  is  increased, 
the  niter  may  be  omitted  in  the  first  prescription,  and  the  cam- 
phor given  with  the  following : 


CATARRHAL  FEVER INFLUENZA.  47 

Take — Tincture  of  prickly-ash  berries 4  ounces. 

Tincture  of  wild  indigo 4  ounces. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 2  ounces. 

Mix  and  e;ive  two  table-spoonfuls  every  six  hours,  in  a  pint  of  warm  water, 
as  a  drench. 

Injections  should  be  given  to  aid  the  physic  in  operating. 

The  horse  shoukl  be  helped  up  occasionally,  if  he  can  not  get 

up  himself.     The  throat  may  be  gargled  or  washed  out  with  a 

tea  made  of  capsicum,  water,  and  vinegar,  every  two  or  three 

hours.     Bathe  the  throat  and  chest  with  capsicum  liniment 

three  times  a  day.     Scalded  shorts,  gruel,  etc.,  may  be  given  as 

his  diet. 

CATAKKHAL  FEVER— INFLUENZA. 

A  perfect  Babel  of  confusion  prevails  among  authors  with 
regard  to  this  disease.  It  has  been  called  by  the  various 
names  of  pink-eye,  horse-ail,  distemper,  influenza,  epidemic  ca- 
tarrh, etc.  It  has  been  treated  quite  as  variously  as  named. 
It  is  very  apt  to  occur  among  many  horses  in  the  same  neigh- 
borhood at  the  same  time,  and  frequently  appears  to  spread 
as  if  it  was  contagious.  Horses  taken  from  the  country  to  the 
city  are  almost  certain  to  undergo  an  attack  of  this  disease. 
It  occurs  most  frequently  in  the  spring  and  late  in  the  fall. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptom  of  catarrhal  fever  is  a  chilly 
fit  or  paroxysm ;  but  it  is  very  seldom  this  symptom  will  be 
observed.  The  horse  will  be  found  languid,  or  lazy,  and  will 
hardly  move  at  all.  He  seems  very  weak;  is  oif  his  feed; 
the  breathing  is  difficult,  the  air  evidently  passing  up  the 
nostrils  with  difficulty.  The  eyes  are  red  and  bleary;  the 
patient  swallows  with  great  difficulty,  even  water;  the  feet  and 
legs  are  cold  in  the  earlier  stages  of  the  disease ;  the  pulse  is 
increased  in  frequency;  the  dung  and  urine  are  passed  in 
small  quantities.  The  patient  becomes  haggard  and  worn 
down  very  rapidly  from  the  first.  Very  early  in  the  disease, 
a  watery  swelling  of  the  legs  takes  x^lace.  This  is  particularly 
the  case  in  large  cities.     This  swelling  may  extend  to  the 


48  XAYIX   ox    THE    HORSE. 

groins  and  slieatli.  A  discharge  from  tlio  nose,  of  a  yellow 
mucus,  takes  place  after  a  few  days,  and  this  is  regarded  as  a 
favorable  symptom.  The  tongue  is  covered  with  a  thick  coat, 
and  saliva  runs  freely,  except  in  some  cases,  when  the  mouth 
and  tongue  are  very  dry  and  red. 

In  a  favorable  case,  the  symptoms  before  described  gradu 
ally  become  less  severe,  and  finally  disappear.  The  ordinary 
duration  of  an  attack,  properly  treated,  would  be  but  a  few 
days;  if  left  to  nature,  it  may  run  its  course  in  a  week  or  two. 
Catarrhal  fever  may  terminate  in  suppuration  or  abscess  of 
the  glands  under  the  jaw,  or  may  run  into  inflammation  of 
the  lungs,  or  even  glanders,  if  neglected  or  improperly  treated. 

Causes. — The  exact  cause  of  this  disease  is  not  very  satis- 
factorily understood.  It  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  those 
diseases  originating  in  cold,  and  assuming  an  epidemic  form. 

Treatment. — Fresh  air,  good  clothing,  and  bedding  are  very 
useful  measures  for  the  comfort  of  the  patient.  If  the  limbs 
are  cold,  bleed  the  horse  to  the  extent  of  only  from  two  to 
four  quarts.     Then  give  the  following: 

Take — Powdered  blood-root 2  ounces. 

Powdered  gentian 2  ounces. 

Sulphur 2  ounces. 


nces. 


Saltpeter 2  ou 

Mix,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  twice  a  day,  in  a  pint  of  flax-seed  tea. 

The  limbs  should  be  vrell  rubbed  with  flannel  cloths. 
A  mild  cathartic  may  be  necessary.     The  following  is  a 
suitable  one: 

Take— Aloes 1  ounce. 

Ginger 2  drams. 

Mix,  and  give  in  warm  water. 

Blister  the  under  and  forward  part  of  the  throat,  using  the 
^^ liquid  Mister.''^ 

Let  the  horse  have  slop-feed  and  plenty  of  salt. 


CATARRH,  OR   COLD.  49 

CONTAGIOUS   DISEASES. 
COLD,  Oil  CATARRH 

This  affection  is  so  well  known,  and  so  common,  among 
both  men  and  horses,  as  scarcely  to  require  description.  But 
it  is  a  much  more  important  ailment  than  many  may  suppose. 
It  is  often  the  forerunner  or  cause  of  the  most  fatal  diseases. 

Si/mj)to7)is. — The  more  prominent  s^^mptoms  are  a  soft  or 
loose  cough,  with  catching  of  the  breath  after  the  paroxysm 
of  coughing;  a  slight,  clear  discharge  from  the  nose  and  eyes, 
and  diminution  of  the  appetite.  There  is  but  little  departure 
from  health,  though  the  cough  may  be  very  alarming,  if  it 
were  not  knOwn  what  was  the  matter.  When  the  cold  breaks, 
a  very  copious  discharge  takes  place  from  the  nose,  and  this 
should  occur  in  three  or  four  days,  or  more  serious  trouble- 
may  be  the  result. 

Causes. — Change  of  the  horse  from  a  warm  to  a  cold  place; 
letting  him  cool  too  suddenly  when  hot;  allowing  him  to 
stand  in  the  rain  or  snow  after  exercise;  and  any  thing 
that  will  cause  the  skin  to  become  chilled  and  perspiratipn; 
stopped.     Cold  should  be  carefully  guarded  against. 

Treatment. — The  following  ^prescription  will  generally  cure- 
a  cold: 

^Take — Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Morphine 13  grains. 

Balsam  copaiba 1  ounce. 

.  Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mis,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

After  twelve  hours,'  commence  with  the  following: 

Take — Tartar  emetic 1  ounce. 

Resin 2  ounces 

Blood-root 1  ounce. 

Salts  of  tartar 2  ounces. 

Cringer 2  ounces. 

Mix.     Give  one  tea-spoonful  three  times  a  day,  in  the  feed,  which  should  bo' 
cut  or  chopped  feed. 

4 


50  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

STRANGLES. 

This  disease  is  known  in  some  localities  by  the  name  of 
distemjoer;  in  others,  horse-ail.  But  these  terms  are  very  ob- 
jectionable, as  they  might,  with  equal  propriety,  be  applied 
to  almost  any  other  aifection. 

Strangles  is  a  disease  common  to  young  horses,  very  few 
escaping  an  attack  of  it.  Some  colts  will  have  it  at  a  very 
early  age — some  at  one  year,  and  from  this  up  to  five ;  more 
generally  it  occurs  between  three  and  five.  If  it  do  not  occur 
previous  to  five,  the  horse  will  stand  a  fair  chance  to  escape 
it  for  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  disease  is  characterized  by  a  swelling  or  enlargement 
and  inflammation  of  the  glands  situated  under  and  to  the 
Miner  side  of  the  lower  jaw,  and  called  the  suhmaxillarij 
glands. 

Sym])toms. — In  the  earlier  stage  of  the  disease,  the  symp- 
toms are  much  the  same  as  in  common  cold;  and,  indeed,  seems 
to  be  nothing  else,  and  will  yield,  in  the  more  mild  cases,  to 
the  same  treatment.  The  first  symptom  that  will  generally  be 
(noticed  will  be  a  very  quick,  short  cough.  The  discharge  from 
the  nostrils  will  be  found,  on  examination,  to  be  greater  than 
in  common  cough,  and  of  a  transparent  and  greenish-yellow 
color,  and  after  awhile  will  be  streaked  with  pus  or  matter; 
having  no  bad  smell  in- the  early  stage,  but,  as  the  disease 
progresses,  becoming  quite  offensive ;  and  the  worse  the  smell, 
the  more  favorably  may  the  case  be  regarded.  In  a  few 
days,  or,  in  some  cases,  only  a  few  hours,  after  the  appear- 
ance, of  the  discharge  from  the  nose,  the  swelling  of  the 
glands  between  the  jaws  will  commence,  and  increase  more 
•or  less  rapidly,  until  the  breathing  becomes  very  much  af- 
fected. The  swelling  may  become  so  great  as  to  cause  suffo- 
•cation,  especially  if  it  should  extend  so  high  as  to  afi'ect  the 
opening  into  the  windpipe.  There  is  also  considerable  fever, 
.and  the  discharge  of  a  ropy  fluid  from  the  mouth.  The  ex- 
pression is  anxious  and  haggard.     The  horse  can  not  eat  well, 


STRANGLES.  51 

though  he  seems  to  desire  food;  he  can  drink  but  a  swallow 
or  two  at  a  time.  Often,  in  attempting  to  swallow,  a  spell  of 
coughing  will  come  on,  and  his  life  will  seem  in  danger  from 
strangulation;  and  from  this  circumstance  the  disease  takes 
its  name.  The  tumor  is  round  and  uniform,  and  increases 
until  it  fills  the  entire  space  between  the  jaws.  After  awhile, 
generally  in  from  six  to  ten  days,  a  soft  place  can  be  found  in 
the  middle  of  the  tumor,  indicating  that  matter,  or  pus,  has 
formed,  and  has  "come  to  a  head."  The  tumor  will  soon  break, 
discharging  a  large  quantity  of  pus,  and  the  horse  gradually 
recovers.     When  matter  forms,  if  it  does  not  break,  open  it. 

Strangles  may  be  distinguished  from  glanders  and  common 
catarrh  by  its  large,  uniform  swelling,  and  the  knotted  and 
smaller  swelling  of  glanders  and  catarrh. 

Causes. — Some  young  horses  •  take  the  disease  without  any 
ascertainable  provocation.  It  is  generally  taken  after  the  ani- 
mal has  been  exposed  to  such  influences  as  usually  give  rise 
to  cold.  The  condition  of  the  weather  seems  to  have  much  to 
do  in  developing  it;  it  being  more  common  in  damp  weather, 
and  in  the  spring  and  fall,  than  in  other  seasons.  There 
is  much  difference  of  opinion  as  to  whether  strangles  is  conta- 
gious. That  it  may  originate  from  other  causes  there  can  be 
no  doubt.  But,  aside  from  popular  belief,  there  are  very  strong 
reasons  for  regarding  the  disease  contagious.  The  most  uni- 
form law  of  contagious  diseases  is,  that  they  protect  the  system 
from  subsequent  attacks.  A  horse  that  has  once  had  stran- 
gles is  never  again  attacked  with  it.  When  it  occurs  on  a 
farm  or  in  a  stable,  all  the  young  horses  that  have  not  had  it 
are  almost  certain  to  take  it  before  it  leaves  the  place.  ■  A  mild 
form  of  the  disease  has  been  produced  on  the  continent  of  Eu- 
rope by  inoculation,  which  is  said  to  have  prevented  the  animal 
from  afterward  taking  the  true  disease.  Hence  I  think  we  are 
warranted  in  regarding  strangles  contagious,  or  catching. 

Another  peculiarity  of  this  disease  is,  that,  if  neglected  or 
improperly  treated,  it  may  run  into  farcy,  or  glanders,  or  both; 


52  Js'AVIX   ox   THE    HOESE. 

first  the  one,  and  from  it  into  the  other.  The  following  case 
will  illustrate  this :  A  mare,  four  years  old,  was  attacked  of 
strangles.  She  Avas  treated  for  some  time  by  a  fellow  who 
knew  nothing  of  the  character  of  the  disease,  but  he  eventually 
succeeded  in  getting  the  discharge  stopped. ;  but,  about  eight 
months  after,  the  nostrils  again  commenced  discharging.  He 
again  stayed  the  progress  of  the  malady;  but,  some  ten 
months  after,  symptoms  of  farcy  made  their  appearance,  and 
soon  the  case  was  found  to  be  one  of  confirmed  farcy.  At  this 
time  another  quack  got  hold  of  her,  and  succeeded  in  abating 
the  disease  for  a  time ;  but,  in  six  or  eight  months,  she  was 
found  to  have  a  genuine  attack  of  glanders.  I  was,  at  this 
time,  studying,  and,  thinking  the  case  a  good  opportunity  for 
experiment,  I  got  possession  of  the  mare.  My  tutor  had  be- 
come convinced  that  medicine,  internally,  was  of  no  use,  and 
resolved  to  try  a  different  plan,  which  succeeded  in  the  present 
case,  nothwithstanding  the  mare  had  infected  her  own  colt,  and 
it  died,  not  being  able  to  stand  the  medicine.  This  treatment 
has  been  successful  in  every  case  of  farcy,  and  the  first  stage 
of  glanders.  I  will  give  it  to  the  public  for  the  first  time 
when  treating  of  farcy.  When  strangles  have  been  neglected 
or  improperly  treated,  and  are  about  to  return  in  the  form  of 
glanders,  in  about  six  months  after  the  attack,  a  discharge 
from  the  nose  will  be  noticed,  and  small  but  hard  enlargement 
of  the  glands  under  the  jaw ;  and,  if  still  neglected,  a  true 
case  of  glanders  will  be  the  result. 

Treatment. — If  this  disease  is  early  noticed,  the  Same  treat- 
ment appropriate  for  common  cold  may  cure  it,  with  the 
addition  of  a  blister  over  the  affected  glands,  as  hereafter  rec- 
ommended. But  it  is  safest  to  commence  with  the  following 
viixorous  treatment  as  soon  as  the  case  is  well  ascertained  to 
be  strangles.  First  commence  by  bleeding,  taking  about  six 
quarts  of  blood.  The  object  of  this  is  to  subdue  the  inflam- 
mation and  reduce  the  fever.  It  is  very  important  to  prevent 
the  affected  glands  from  suppurating,  or,  in  plain  language,  from 


STRAXGLES.  53 

forming  matter  and  coming  to  a  head,  which  they  have  a  great 
tendency  to  do.  But  if  this  can  not  he  done,  the  next  best 
thing  to  bo-  done  is  to  bring  the  swelling  to  a  head  as  fast  as 
po'ssible.  And,  fortunately,  the  same  thing  that  is  the  very 
best  for  the  former  purpose,  if  it  does  not  accomplish  it,  is 
also  the  best  for  the  latter.  It  is,  to  draw  a  good  blister  over 
the  part  affected.     For  this  purpose 

Take — Cantliarides,  (Spanish  flies),  pulverized  ..2  ounces. 

Tincture  of  cantliarides 2  ounces. 

Spirits  of  turpentine ^  pint. 

V     Mix,  and  let  stand  two  hours,  shaking  it  frequently. 

Clip  oif  the  hair  as  close  as  possible  from  the  throat,  down 
between  the  jaws,  below  the  swelling.  Rub  the  blister  in  with 
the  hand,  using  about  one-third  of  the  liquid  the  first  time, 
and  over  all  the  space  from  the  throat  down  between  the  jaws, 
and  as  wide  as  their  under  edges.  Be  sure  to  rub  the  liquid 
in  thoroughly.  The  next  day  repeat  the  same  process,  regard- 
less of  any  blisters  that  may  have  formed.  After  this,  if  the 
swelling  seems  to  be  going  down,  the  application  need  not 
be  repeated  oftener  than  every  second  day ;  but,  if  not,  every 
day  until  matter  has  formed,  and  come  to  a  point.  As  soon 
as  this  occurs,  which  will  be  known  by  some  part  of  the 
tumor  becoming  soft — generally  the  center,  but  sometimes  to 
one  side — it  must  be  opened.  Take  a  sharp-pointed  knife; 
hold  the  blade  firmly  between  the  finger  and  thumb,  and  pass 
it  quickly  into  the  softened  part  of  the  tumor,  deep  enough  to 
reach  the  matter  or  pus,  and  from  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a 
half  wide,  so  that  no  pressing  or  squeezing  will  be  required, 
which  should  never  be  done.  To  prevent  the  horse  from  tear- 
ing himself  while  the  blistering  is  being  done,  he  must  be  so 
tied  that  he  can  not  rub  his  jaw  against  his  leg,  the  manger, 
or  stall.  He  should  be  blanketed  from  the  start  to  keep  liim 
warm,  and  must  be  kept  in  a  stall  where  he  will  have  fresh 
air. 


64  NAVIN   OX   THE   HOESE. 

Internally  give  the  following  alterative : 

Take — Red  puccoon,  (blood-root),  powdered. . .  .2  ounces. 

Gentian-root,  powdered 2  ounces. 

Sulphur 2  ounces. 

Saltpeter,  powdered 2  ounces. 

Mix  tliorouglily  together. 

Give  one  tea-spoonful  twice  a  day,  in  one  pint  of  warm 
water,  as  a  drench,  until  well. 

GLANDERS. 

This  is,  perhaps,  the  most  fatal,  as  well  as  the  most  loath- 
some disease  to  which  the  horse  is  subject.  It  has  been  de- 
scribed by  different  writers  for  a  period  of  over  fifteen  centu- 
ries, and  has  almost  invariably  been  considered  incurable. 
It  is  generally  conceded  to  be  produced  by  various  causes ;  but, 
by  whatever  cause  produced,  its  course  is  much  the  same.  In 
treating  of  this  malady  I  shall  pursue  my  usual  course ;  first 
explaining  the  symptoms,  then  the  causes,  and  such  other  mat- 
ters as  are  important  to  be  understood  in  order  to  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  disease,  and  the*  principles  upon  which  the 
treatment  is  based;  and,  lastly,  giving  the  treatment  which 
has  proved  most  successful  in  my  hands. 

Symi)toms. — The  first  symptom  of  glanders  is  a  dry,  but  not 
staring  appearance  of  the  hair,  it  occasionally  resuming  its  nat- 
m'al  gloss  for  a  time,  and  then  again  fading.  The  ilesh  dimin- 
ishes, or  wastes  away  rapidly,  on  dry  feed,  but  will  return  again 
on  bran,  brewery,  or  distillery  slops,  or  any  soft,  nutritious 
food ;  but  this  improvement  will  be  only  temporary,  and  the 
flesh  again  commences  to  waste ;  and  eventually  the  hair  be- 
comes staring,  and  the  horse  exhibits  indications  of  failing 
strength  and  vitality.  These  symptoms  may  continue  for  a 
longer  or  shorter  time  before  any  others  make  their  aj)i)ear- 
ance.  The  next  and  most  characteristic  symptom  will  be  a 
discharge  from  the  nostrils  of  a  lighter  and  paler  color  than 


GLANDERS.  55 

that  of  common  cold  or  gleet,  and  not  so  profuse,  and  of  a 
more  glutinous  or  sticky  character.  The  discharge  in  cold  or 
gleet  is  from  both  nostrils,  and  in  considerable  quantity,  stop- 
ping for  awhile  and  then  commencing  again ;  but  in  glanders 
it  is  continuous  and  scant,  and  generally  affects  but  one  nos- 
tril, and  this,  in  more  than  nine  cases  in  ten,  is  the  left  one. 
Of  eight  hundred  cases  examined  by  M.  Dupuy,  Director  of 
the  Veterinary  School  of  Toulouse,  only  one  was  affected 
in  the  right  nostril.  The  discharge  is  somewhat  offensive, 
and  the  further  advanced  the  case  is,  the  more  so  it  becomes. 
After  the  disease  has  progressed  to  what  might  be  termed  the 
second  stage,  the  discharge  from  the  nose  will  be  streaked  with 
pus  or  matter,  and,  on  examination,  the  membra^ne  of  the  nose 
will  jDresent  a  dark  purjole  hue,  or  even  a  leaden  color,  widely 
differing  from  the  pink  blush  of  health,  or  the  fiery  red  of  fever 
or  inflammation.  Ulcers  with  raised,  thick  edges,  round,  and 
deep,  will  also  be  seen.  The  breathing  now  becomes  more  af- 
fected, generally  with  some  cough.  At  this  stage  the  glands 
under  the  jaw  become  affected;  they  are  not  largely  swollen 
and  inflamed,  as  in  catarrh  and  other  diseases  affecting  them, 
but  small,  hard,  and  near  the  jaw-bone,  and  having  a  tendency 
io  become  attached  to  the  bone ;  and  the  nearer  they  get  to 
it,  the  worse  may  the  case  be  regarded,  until  they  adhere  to 
the  bone,  when  the  animal's  days  may  be  considered  as  nearly 
numbered.  The  glands  affected  are  on  the  same  side  with  the 
affected  nostril  and  weak  eye. 

By  this  time,  also,  the  horse  will  commence  shedding  his 
coat  of  hair,  whatever  the  season  of  the  year ;  and  with  it  a 
great  amount  of  dandruff;  and  yet  the  hair  that  remains  will 
not  look  any  the  brighter.  The  belly  will  now  begin  to  tuck 
up;  the  horse  eats  but  little;  an  occasional  cough  is  heard ; 
liis  strength  fails  fast ;  the  discharge  from  the  nostrils  becomes 
streaked  with  blood,  and  larger  in  quantity,  and  both  nostrils 
discharge.  But  to  this  there  are  exceptions:  small  ulcers  will 
appear  on  the  outside  of  the  nose,  and  the  discharge  becomes 


56  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

extremely  offensive,  even  stinking;  and  the  hind-legs  com- 
mence to  swell,  sometimes  the  swelling  of  one  preceding  that 
of  the  other  a  considerable  time.  These  symptoms  continue 
to  become  worse  and  worse  until  the  powers  of  life  give  way, 
and  death  claims  his  long-contested  victim. 

Causes. — With  regard  to  the  causes  of  this  disease  I  shall 
not  greatly  differ  with  writers  generally,  but  I  find  myself 
widely  departing  from  the  opinion  of  some  eminent  authors 
as  regards  the  nature  and  seat  of  the  disease  ;  and,  as  I  am  con- 
fident very  injurious  errors  are  inculcated  on  this  subject,  I 
must  ask  the  reader's  indulgence,  as  I  shall  be  somewhat 
lengthy  in  treating  of.  this  subject. 

The  most  frequent  cause  of  glanders  is,  undoubtedly,  bad 
feeding,  and  bad  stable  management,  and  exposures  of  the 
horse,  by  overworking,  and  surfeiting.  The  next  is  contagion, 
or  infection.  And,  another  way  in  which  it  is  produced,  is  by 
the  termination  of  certain  other  diseases,  when  neglected  or 
improperly  treated ;  and  it  is,  as  has  been  before  remarked, 
intimately  connected  with  farcy,  being  a  natural  termination 
of  that  disease. 

The  most  common  opinion  of  this  disease  is  expressed  m 
the  following  quotation  from  Mr.  Youatt's  work  on  the  horse. 
He  says : 

''^There  can  he  no  douU  that  the  membrane  of  the  nose  %s  the  orig- 
inal seat  of  glanders ;  that  the  disease  is  for  a  time  purely  local; 
that  the  inflammation  of  the  tubercles  must  proceed  to  suppu- 
ration before  that  matter  is  formed  on  which  the  poisoning  of 
the  constitution  depends;  that  the  whole  circulation  does  at 
length  become  empoisoned ;  and  that  the  horse  is  destroyed  by 
the  general  irritation  and  disease  produced." 

How  the  distinguished  author  above  quoted,  with  the  accu- 
mulated evidence  of  centuries  before  him,  should  have  come 
to  such  a  conclusion,  is  strange.  But,  as  I  wish  a  fair  discus- 
sion of  the  question,  I  shall  state  my  objection  to  this  position, 


GLANDEES.  57 

and  tlien  present  what  seems  to  me  the  true  theory  of  this 
disease,  or,  at  least,  one  supported  by  known  facts. 

If  glanders  is  ajntrel^  local  affection  of  the  nose,  how  is  it 
that  the  disease  can  be  produced  by  inoculation  in  the  heel  of 
the  hind-foot,  or  any  other  remote  part  of  the  system  ?  Is  the 
poison  carried  through  the  system  to  the  nose,  and  there  de- 
posited, to  return  again  and  affect  the  constitution?  Or  does 
it  find  its  way,  like  vermin,  through  the  hair,  on  the  outside? 
Again :  if  an  affection  of  the  membrane  of  the  nose,  in  its  first 
stage,  why  is  it  that  it  may  remain  in  the  form  of  farcy,  until 
the  system  is  well-nigh  destroyed,  before  any  symptoms  of  true 
glanders  are  presented?  And  again,  still,  how  can  those  cases 
be  accounted  for  which  go  on  to  a  fatal  termination  without 
any  signs  of  the  affection  of  the  nose?  I  mean  farcy.  And 
why  is  it  that,  long  before  any  ulcers  have  formed  in  the  nose, 
the  constitutional  derangement  has  progressed  so  far  as  to  pre- 
sent unmistakable  indications  of  the  work  of  the  destroying 
pestilence?  And,  lastly,  why  should  bad  food,  surfeiting,  ex- 
posures to  foul  weather,  overworking,  ill-ventilation,  offensive 
gases,  and  the  exhaustion  consequent  on  other  diseases,  be 
expected  to  leave  the  general  systeni,  and  take  up  their  resi- 
dence in  the  membrane  of  the  nose,  and  from  thence  come 
forth  to  attack  again  and  destroy  the  constitution  of  the  ani- 
mal? I  most  certainly  reject  this  idea  of  the  nature  of  gland- 
ers, as  opposed  to  all  the  known  phenomena  of  the  disease. 
Indeed,  if  glanders  is  to  be  regarded  as  originally  a  local  dis- 
ease, I  think  it  would  not  be  difiicult  to  show  that  the  luno-s 
have  the  advantage  of  the  nose,  in  claiming  the  original  seat  of 
the  disease. 

I  will  simply  present  one  argument  in  favor  of  the  priority  of 
the  lungs.  If  horses  are  killed  as  soon  as  known  to  be  gland- 
ered,  ulceration  will  be  found  in  the  lungs,  when  the  mem- 
brane of  the  nose  has  not  reached  this  stage  of  the  disease; 
and,  at  a  later  stage,  the  lungs  present  much  greater  ulcera- 
tion than  the  nose  does.     From  what  has  already  been  said, 


58  NAVII^   ox   THE   HOESE. 

tlic  reader  will  doubtless  have  inferred  my  position  as  to  the 
character  of  glanders.  But,  that  I  may  Ido  i^erfectly  under- 
stood, I  will  state  my  views  of  the  character  of  the  disease  as 
clearly  as  possible.  I  regard  glanders  as  essentially  a  consti- 
tutional disease,  produced  by  a  specific  poison,  either  intro- 
duced into  the  system  by  infection  or  inoculation,  or  generated 
in  it  by  some  peculiar  and  unusual  chemical  action,  or  by  a 
perverted  nutritive  action ;  and  that  its  generation  is  peculiar 
to  the  horse,  and  that  this  poison  has  a  peculiar  tendency  to 
affect  prominently  the  mucous  surfaces  of  the  lungs  and  air- 
passages,  as  well  as  certain  excreting  glandular  structures  of 
the  system ;  and  this  is  most  likely,  because  nature  endeavors 
to  throw  off  the  poison  by  these  structures,  thus  peculiarly  ex- 
posing them  to  its  poisoning  influence.  This  poison,  or  virus, 
seems  to  possess  the  character  of  a  ferment.  In  this  connec- 
tion I  shall  quote  from  M.  H.  Bouley,  in  the  "London  Veter- 
inarian," an  article  which  may  throw  some  light  on  the  sub- 
ject, corroborating  the  views  above  given.     He  says: 

"I.  That  glanders  is  a  spontaneous  disease  only  with  the 
horse  species,  it  being,  in  other  animals,  always  the  result  of 
contagion ;  that  in  the  horse  species  it  may  be  the  result  of 
contagion,  but  generally  it  is  a  product  of  disordered  or  per- 
verted nutritive  action  in  the  system,  and  consequently  is,  in 
its  origin,  peculiar  to  the  horse  species. 

"II.  That  this  exclusive  generative  faculty  is  coincident 
with  the  exclusive  uses  to  which  horses  are  put ;  the  horse 
being  that  vital  machine  which  is  employed  for  moving  great 
weights,  or  overcoming  great  resistance. 

"III.  Oxen,  in  some  localities  are  likewise  so  employed; 
but  then  they  do  their  work  always  at  a  tardy  pace,  so  slow, 
indeed,  that  it  does  not  interfere  with  rumination,  (chewing 
the  food  over,  or  chewing  the  cud) ;  Avhilc  horses,  on  the  con- 
trary, almost  always  work  with  more  rapidity,  and  oftentimes 
are  compelled  to  carry  great  weights  at  the  same  rapid  pace. 


GLAXDERS.  59 

And,  moreover,  the  horse,  nervous  and  excitable  by  nature, 
freely  gives  himself  up  to  such  rapid  movements,  expending, 
thereby,  so  much  more  strength,  in  any  given  time,  than  the 
bullock  in  his  slow  movements. 

"lY.  Excess  of  such  kind  of  labor  appears  to  be  one  of 
the  causes  of  the  horse's  deterioration  and  ivearing  out.  And 
so  glanders,  viewed  as  the  result  of  excessive  action  in  the 
living  organ,  is  nothing  more,  in  a  great  number  of  cases, 
than  the  effects  of  exhaustion,  induced  by  labor  to  which  the 
powers  of  the  animal  were  inadequate. 

"Y.  But  how  does  this  excessive  work  produce  exhaustion 
and  premature  wearing  out  of  the  machine?  Modern  science 
furnishes  us  with  an  answer  to  this  question,  of  a  more  pre- 
cise and  satisfactory  description  than  formerly  could  have 
been  given. 

"YI.  Animal  life  is  sustained  through  veritable  combus- 
tion (burning).  Pulmonary  exhalation  proves  this.  The  air 
expired  from  the  lungs  contains  the  j^roducts  of  combustion — 
carbonic  acid  and  water.  The  combustible  matter  enterino- 
into  the  constitution  of  the  organism  (or  living  body)  is 
therein  incessantly  separated  and  eliminated  (thrown  out), 
through  the  agency  of  the  affinity  of  the  oxygen  absorbed 
upon  the  pulmonary  surface.  It  is  the  same  with  the  incom- 
bustible matter — azote  (or  nitrogen):  that  being  separated 
from  its  various  combinations  whenever  the  oxygen  exerts  its 
affinity,  and  becoming  eliminated  through  the  urinary  pas- 
sages. 

"The  effect  of  the  air,  then,  introduced  into  the  system 
through  the  respiratory  passages,  is  incessantly  to  destroy 
organic  combinations  and  eliminate  their  products,  in  a  state 
of  combustion  (carbonic  acid  and  water),  through  the  lungs 
and  skin.  Those  incombustible  azotic  matters,  separated 
from  the  blood  in  the  form  of  urea^  pass  through  the  urinary 
channels.  The  oxygen  of  the  air  is  continually  producing 
combustion  and  decomposition  of  the  living  animal  fiber. 


60  NAVIN   OX   THE   HOESE. 

"VII.  The  action  of  combustion  and  decomposition  is  the 
more  potent,  the  more  the  acts  of  respiration  and  circuLation 
are  accelerated,  and  the  contact  of  the  air  with  the  blood  be- 
comes, in  consequence,  the  oftener  repeated. 

"Work  can  not  be  performed  without  the  acts  of  respiration 
and  the  pulsations  of  the  heart  becoming  more  energetic,  and 
proportionally  so  with  the  speed  and  intensity  of  the  work; 
the  consequence  of  which  is  to  bring  the  organic  fiber  often 
into  the  presence  of  oxygen,  and  so  to  hasten  combustion  and 
decomposition. 

"Chemical  analysis  shows  that  the  products  of  combustion, 
exhaled  through  the  skin  and  lungs  after  a  rapid  course,  are 
considerably  augmented;  consequently,  decom]30sition becomes 
augmented  under  such  circumstances.  I  pass  over,  in  this 
estimate  of  the  causes  of  wear  and  tear  in  the  animal  ma- 
chine, the  nervous  exhaustion  consequent  on  muscular  contrac- 
tion, because,  although  I  attach  great  importance  to  them,  in 
this  discussion  they  are  not  necessary  for  my  demonstration. 
"VIII.  The  organism  is  opposed  to  this  oxydation: 
"1.  By  virtue  of  the  innate  force  of  cohesion  existing  be- 
tween its  component  particles — a  force  which,  for  a  certain 
time,  is  able  to  counteract  the  affinity  resulting  from  the  action 
of  oxygen. 

"2.  And  especially  through  the  continually  rencAved  influ- 
ence of  the  aliments,  introduced  in  sufficient  quantity  into 
the  digestive  apparatus  for  furnishing  the  living  tissue  with 
the  elements  proper  for  its  reparation,  and  the  oxygen  of  the 
air  with  combustible  matters,  fit  for  the  development  and  com- 
pletion of  its  affinities,  and,  through  combination  with  it,  for 
the  production  of  the  required  animal  heat. 

"IX.  But  if,  while  we  are  exacting  continually  from  the 
animal  machine  a  large  demand  of  strength — which,  as  I  said 
before,  entails  the  introduction  of  a  considerable  quantity  of 
atmospheric  air  into  the  air  passages— we  do  not  affbrd  a  suf- 
ficient supply  of  alimentary  substance — that  is   to  say,  of 


GLANDERS.  61 

azotic  and  combustible  matters — the  oxygen  may  exert  its 
affinities  on  the  matter  actually  comj^osing  the  organs  them- 
selves, determining  a  rapid  decomposition,  and  finally  pro- 
ducing, with  the  azotic  matter,  a  new  principle,  endowed  with 
powerful  novel  affinities,  expediting,  by  its  presence,  the  de- 
composition of  the  organism,  and  discovering  itself,  during 
life,  by  that  cohort  of  symptoms  and  derangements  which 
characterize  glanders. 

"This  active  principle,  the  result  of  extreme  oxydation  of 
the  system,  analogous  in  its  origin  and  progress  to  ferments, 
is  glandered  virus.  I  am,  indeed,  struck  with  the  analogy 
existing  between  the  mode  of  generation  of  glandered  fer- 
ment in  the  living  body,  under  the  influence  of  the  oxygen 
of  the  air,  and  ferments  which  are  concocted  without  vitalityj 
through  the  affinities  of  the  SAme  gas. 

*  *  *  "^''ow,  may  we  not  admit  that,  in  the  vital  or- 
ganism, azotic  matter,  continually  coming  into  contact  with 
the  oxygen  of  the  air,  may  become  converted  into  a  peculiar 
ferment,  the  same  as  we  behold  in  the  dead  body,  the  organic 
substance  turning  into  putrid  ferment,  through  the  combined 
action  of  air  and  water,  and  moderate  heat?  There  ia  an 
approximation  here  which  has  something  specious  about  it. 

"Once  produced,  in  whatever  way  it  may  be  generated, 
glandered  ferment  is  certainly  accompanied  by  ulterior  phe- 
nomena in  the  system  which  bear  the  closest  analogy  to  those 
of  recognized  fermentation.  Placed  in  contact  with  matter 
capable  of  feeding  it,  the  glandered  principle  assimilates  it, 
and  greatly  hastens  the  organic  decompositions.  In  fact, 
chemical  analysis  seems  to  demonstrate  that  the  exhalation 
of  carbonic  acid  is  much  more  considerable  in  an  animal 
under  the  influence  of  glandered  fermentation,  than,  if  I  may 
be  allowed  the  expression,  in  an  animal  in  health.  Such  is 
the  theory;  let  us  now  consider  the  facts. 

"X.  Experience  has  shown,  and  every  day  still  shows,  that 
incessant  work,  without  rest,  such  as  is  exacted  of  horses  in 


62  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

certain  undertakings,  is  one  of  the  most  frequent  causes  of 
glanders,  acute  and  chronic;  but  principally  of  acute.  No 
discussion,  I  should  imagine,  Avill  aidse  on  this  point,  it  being 
an  acknowledged  fact,  set  forth  every  year  in  the  Comptes 
Rendus  (or  Annual  Publication)  of  the  Atfort  school. 

"It  is  no  less  certain  that,  in  the  greatest  number  of  cases, 
whenever  a  horse  becomes  glandered  from  overwork,  it  falls 
greatly  off  in  condition  before  the  disease  makes  its  appear- 
ance— a  fact  which  accords  with  the  great  exhalation  of  car- 
bonic acid  and  water,  the  fatal  consequences  of  the  activity 
of  the  respiratory  and  circulatory  functions. 

"On  the  other  hand,  whenever  glanders  has  declared  itself, 
the  horse  rapidly  falls  off — he  becomes  a  dog-hov^Q — and  this 
disappearance  of  his  fat  corresponds  with  the  augmented  ex- 
halation of  carbonic  acid,  which  becomes  remarkable  at  the 
period  of  eruptive  and  acute  glanders. 

"Another  fact  is,  that  the  influence  of  excessive  work  may 
be  counteracted,  and  even  rendered  harmless,  by  a  large  re- 
parative alimentation.  Demonstrative  experience  of  this 
passed  under  our  own  eyes,  on  a  very  extensive  scale,  too,  on 
the  occasion  of  the  construction  of  the  fortifications  of  Pai*is. 
The  horses  worked  hard  in  draught  became  glandered,  or  not, 
according  as  they  belonged  to  masters  who-  could  afford  to 
(and  did)  keep  them  well,  or  not.  Most  of  the  glandered 
horses  were  the  property  of  unfortunate  piece-workers,  know- 
ing little  of  the  management  of  horses,  and  too  parsimonious 
of  their  feed ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  disease  spared 
such  as  were  well  fed,  by  wealthy  contractors,  undertaking 
the  work  on  their  own  account. 

"XI.  The  laboring  ox  is  not  subject,  on  account  of  being 
worked  up,  to  any  disease  having  the  least  analogy  to  gland- 
ers. N'ot  to  notice  his  difference  of  organization,  which  is  a 
principal  consideration  in  this  question,  I  contend  that  the 
difference  of  results  from  the  same  cause  in  the  bullock  and 
the  horse  is  owing  to  the  modes  of  using  them;  to  the  con-" 


GLANDERS.  63 

stant  slowness  of  pace  of  the  one,  and  the  occasional  and  fre- 
quent rajitidity  of  that  of  the  other.  This  difference  may 
cease  to  exist  whenever  the  ox  is  forced  into  quick  work,  and, 
especially,  should  he  be  fat  at  the  time.  In  such  condition, 
under  the  influence  of  hurried  respiration,  oxydation  of  the 
combustible  elements  takes  place  with  so  great  rapidity  that 
the  exhalation  of  the  carbonic  acid  product  can  not  get  vent 
with  sufficient  celerity,  and  the  consequence  is,  the  animal 
dies  asphyxiated  or  carbonneux.  In  this  case,  a  new  principle, 
a  ferment,  becomes  generated  in  the  blood,  under  the  influence 
of  extreme  oxydation. 

"XII.  I  am  not  to  be  supposed  to  admit  that,  in  every 
case,  glanders  is  the  result  of  extreme  oxydation.  I  reserve 
this  interpretation  for  one  cause  alone  of  the  disease,  viz.: 
overwork." 

The  above  lengthy  extract  may  puzzle  some,  on  account  of 
the  scientific  terms  found  in  it;  but  I  have  not  taken  the 
liberty  of  changing  the  author's  language  to  the  simple  style 
of  my  work.  I  have,  however,  put  in  a  few  explanatory 
words,  and  by  the  aid  of  these,  and  by  first  reading  the  article 
on  respiration,  any  one,  itns  hoped,  may  be  able  to  understand 
the  above  quotation.  Physicians  sometimes  contract  a  dis- 
ease when  dissecting  dead  bodies,  which  is  produced  in  the 
following  way:  The  process  of  decomposition  going  on  in  the 
dead  body  gives  rise  to  a  peculiar  ferment;  and  this  is  so 
subtle,  that  when  the  finger  is  cut  by  the  knife  used  in  dis- 
secting, some  of  the  poison  is  left  in  the  v/ound,  and  is  carried 
into  the  system  through  the  blood,  and,  acting  as  a  ferment, 
induces  a  similar  process  in  the  living  body  to  that  going  on 
in  the  dead  one.  This  is  called  septic  poison.  This  affection 
in  the  human  patient  bears  many  striking  resemblances  to 
glanders  in  the  horse.  Considerable  danger  attends  the 
handling  of  the  glandered  horse,  for  a  person  may  contract 
the  disease  by  inoculation;  so  may  other  animals.     I  knew 


64  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

a  gentleman  who  purchased  a  mare,  and  when  riding  her  to 
town,  a  few  days  after,  he  perceived  a  little  mucus  about 
the  nose;  he  got  down,  and  pulled  some  grass  to  wipe  it  off: 
and,  in  pulling  the  grass,  got  pricked  by  a  thistle,  and  the 
virus  from  the  nose  coming  in  contact  with  this  slight  punc- 
ture, inoculated  his  system,  and  he  died  a  miserable  death,  of 
glanders.  The  servant  girl  Avho  waited  on  him  also  l-^came 
hifected,  and  died.  A  doctor,  in  the  same  vicinity,  a  few 
years  before,  had  a  glandered  horse.  He  took  him  to  the 
veterinarian  Avith  whom  I  studied,  for  treatment.  But  he  told 
the  doctor  the  case  was  one  of  confirmed  glanders,  and  that 
he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it,  telling  him  he  would  as 
lief  handle  a  mad  dog.  The  doctor  then  persuaded  him  to 
give  him  the  medicine,  and  he  would  give  it  himself.  He  did 
so.  But  the  doctor  got  his  finger  cut  by  the  horse's  teeth, 
took  the  disease,  and  died.  I  also  knew  a  poor  man  to  con- 
tract the  disease  by  skinning  an  ass  that  died  of  farcy.  He 
showed  both  symptoms  of  glanders  and  farcy.  His  flesh 
would  not  cleave  to  the  bones  after  death.  The  disease  is 
much  more  rapid  in  the  human  than  in  the  horse.  The  cases 
I  knew  of  did  not  live  over  ten  or  fifteen  days. 

Treatment. — As  the  treatment  is  the  great  object  for  which 
all  our  trouble,  in  searching  out  the  nature,  causes,  and  symp- 
toms of  disease,  is  taken,  we  might  hope  to  present  some- 
thing more  satisfactory  in  the  treatment  of  glanders  than  we 
find  ourselves  able  to  do.  This  is  the  opprohrium  of  the  vet- 
erinary profession.  And,  though  we  are  confident  that  a  step 
in  the  right  direction  has  been  taken,  in  regarding  glanders 
as,  from  the  first,  a  constitutional  disease,  thereby  directing  ef- 
forts to  cure  it  to  the  general  system,  instead  of  vainly  endeav- 
oring to  remove  it  by  operating  on  the  nose,  we  can,  as  yet,  give 
but  little  encouragement  as  to  the  treatment,  in  the  later  stage 
of  the  disease.  But  I  must  put  in  a  plea  for  the  unfortunate 
animal,  that  he  be  not  too  hastily  "  condemned  to  the  bone-yard," 
but  given  a  chance  for  his  life,  in  the  use  of  the  measures  here- 


GLANDERS.  65 

after  directed.  IN'evertheless,  as  "prevention  is  better  than 
cure,"  and,  especially  in  this  disease,  furnishes  "a  surer  founda- 
tion of  hope,"  I  shall  discuss  pretty  fully  the  precautionary 
measures  necessary  to  its 

Prevention. — As  bad  stable  management  is  one  of  the  most 
fruitful  causes  of  the  disease,  it  will  be  proper  to  first  call  at- 
tention to  this  subject.  The  stable  should  be  constructed  on  the 
principles  laid  down  in  the  article  on  "stables,"  in  another  part 
of  this  work ;  so  as  to  admit  at  all  times  a  proper  amount  of 
fresh,  pure  air,  without  which  neither  man  nor  beast  can  be 
healthy.  To  show  how  important  it  is  to  avoid  crowding  horses 
together  in  close  apartments,  I  will  give  an  incident  related  by 
Professor  Coleman,  of  England : 

"  In  the  expedition  to  Quiberon,  the  horses  had  not  long  been 
on  board  the  transports  when  it  became  necessary  to  shut  down 
the  hatchways  ;  the  consequence  of  this  was,  that  some  of  them 
were  suffocated,  and  all  the  rest  were  disembarked  either  gland-^ 
ered  or  farcied." 

The  gases  generated  by  decomposing  or  rotting  manure  and! 
urine  poison  the  air,  and  render  it  unfit  for  the  horse  to  breathe. 
These  gases  contain  hartshorn  or  ammonia,  and  their  long-con- 
tinued action  on  the  lungs  will  give  rise  to  glanders.  Hence- 
the  stable  should  be  so  constructed  as  to  allow  the  urine  to  pass. 
away  from  under  the  horse,  and  the  dung  should  always  be  re-- 
moved  from  the  stall  every  morning.  In  short,  the  stable  must;, 
be  kept  clean  and  sweet.  The  feed  of  the  horse  must  always; 
be  such  as  will  keep  him  in  good  condition,  and  especially  when^ 
at  work.  And  should  he  be  found  to  be  getting  low,  he  shoukl 
be  allowed  his  freedom,  with  good  feed,  for  a  time. 

Long-continued  overwork  should  not  be  im2X>sed  on  any  ani- 
mal ;  but  this  may  best  be  compensated  by  careful  grooming,, 
stabling,  and  good,  nourishing  feed,  in  liberal  quantity. 

As  glanders  is  an  infectious  disease,  well  horses  should  be- 
kept  from  the  infected  ones :  too  much  care  can  not  be  given  to 
5 


66  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

this  precaution.  The  glandercd  animal  shouKl  be  kept  far  from 
all  others,  and  where  he  can  have,  as  far  as  possible,  his  natm'al 
freedom,  but  not  to  be  exposed  to  the  severities  of  the  weather. 
Bemedial  Treatment. — ^Blanket  warm ;  place  him  where  he 
can  have  pure  air;  rub  him  well  twice  per  day;  give  the 
most  nutritive  food  in  mash  form ;  the  more  sweet  milk  the 
better :  soft  or  rain  water  for  his  drink,  with  two  tea-spoonfuls 
of  elixir  of  vitriol  to  the  common  bucketful ;  take  flax-seed,  one- 
half  peck  at  a  time,  to  eight  or  ten  quarts  of  water,  or  that  pro- 
portion of  what  you  wish  to  make  at  a  time,  steep  the  seed,  over 
night,  next  morning  boil  till  when  cool  it  forms  a  thick  jelly ; 
keep  well  stirred  in  cooking,  or  it  will  burn ;  then  prepare  the 
following  medicines : 

Crude  niter 1  ounce. 

Carbonate  of  iron 2  ounces. 

Phosphate  of  lime 2  ounces. 

Ground  sarsaparilla 8  ounces. 

Ground  sassafras 8  ounces. 

Asafoetida 2  ounces. 

Mis,  and  give  one  ounce  twice  per  day  in  his  feed,  with  one  tea-cupful  of 
rthe  flax-seed  jelly,  and  pyroligneous  acid,  one  ounce  j  the  above  morning  and 
".evening ;  the  third  dose  say  in  the  middle  of  the  day. 

Take — Spanish  flies 1  dram. 

Blue  vitriol 2  drams. 

Powdered   iodine 1  dram. 

Ground  ginger 8  ounces. 

Capsicum  (red  pepper) 6  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  ounce,  and  one  tea-cupful  of  the  jelly,  in  his  feed,  once 
;per  day.  If  he  should  entirely  refuse  to  use  the  medicines  in  his  feed,  stop 
'ibis  hay,  and  hunger  will  force  him.  The  larger  the  mash,  the  less  the  medi- 
cines will  taste.  If  nothing  will  induce  him  to  eat  it,  the  objectionable  dose 
'must  be  given  in  a  drench,  or  sweetened  with  molasses,  honey,  or  such.  If 
.•ulcers  are  formed  in  the  nostrils,  or  if  not,  the  lungs  will  benefit  by  the  fol- 
ilowing  being  inhaled : 

Take — Tannin 4  grains. 

Sulphate  of  zinc ■ 4  grains. 

Sugar  of  lead 20  grains. 

Laudanum 2  grains. 

Olive  oil 2  ounces. 


FARCY.  67 

Mis.  Take  a  large  goose-quill,  bore  tlie  barrel,  run  a  string  or  whang  through, 
dip  it  in  the  above,  and  put  it  up  the  nostrils  ;  tie  the  cord  to  the  halter  at  the 
side  or  front;  leave  it  there  till  evening;  if  in  the  evening,  till  nest  day,  and 
so  continue  dipping  it  twice  per  day  in  the  above.  Hub  the  glands  twice  per 
day  with  tincture  of  iodine. 

If  these  should  succeed  in  stopping  the  disease,  which  is 
easily  known  by  the  glands  dispersing  or  lessening,  the  dis- 
charge entirely  ceasing,  give  the  following.  Bo  certain  that  the 
disease  is  conquered,  then 

Take — Ginger 4  ounces. 

Black  antimony 2  ounces. 

Sulphur 2  ounces. 

Niter 2  ounces. 

Eesin 2  ounces. 

Mis,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  twice  per  day  in  feed.  This  is  to  improve 
his  strength  and  condition. 

FARCY. 

As  before  remarked,  farcy  is  intimately  related  to  glanders; 
is  sometimes  called  a  twin  sister;  is,  perhaps,  identically  the 
same  disease  in  a  different  form,  depending  upon  the  same 
cause.  It  develops  itself  in  the  form  of  an  affection  of  the 
lymphatic  vessels,  which  are  described  in  the  chapter  on  the 
lymphatics,  in  another  part  of  this  book.  As  I  said  of  gland- 
ers, so  do  I  say  of  farcy,  "that  it  is  a  constitutional  disease, 
poisoning  the  whole  system." 

Spnjytoms. — Farcy  is  sometimes  sIoav  in  its  approach,  but, 
in  some  cases,  comes  on  quite  suddenly.  Most  generally  the 
horse  exhibits  certain  symptoms  indicative  of  approaching  dis- 
ease. He  will  be  found,  for  greater  or  less  time,  off'  his  feed, 
or  not  eating  with  his  usual  appetite,  dull  and  indisposed  t© 
action,  the  hair  becoming  dry  and  staring,  and  dark  in  appear- 
ance ;  he  falls  off  in  flesh  and  loses  condition,  and  sometimes 
symptoms  of  fever  will  be  observed  at  this  stage.  If  the  horse 
is  on  grass,  he  will  be  observed  to  stand  by  the  fence  or  under 


68  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

the  shade  of  a  tree,  evidently  seeking  shelter.     If  in  the  stable, 
he  will  stand  at  the  full  length  of  the  halter.     Whether  run- 
ning out,  or  in  the  stable,  an  unusual  quantity  of  dandruff  is 
thrown  oif,  and  the  hair  comes  off  easy.     The  horse  becomes 
stiff  in  his  movements,  and  mucus  sometimes  api^ears  to  gather 
in  the  inner  corner  of  one  or  both  eyes.     When  these  symp- 
toms are  observed,  mischief  may  be  expected,  and  a  careful 
look-out  kept  for  the  characteristic  or  unmistakable  signs  of 
farcy.     These  are  the  peculiar  knotted  character  of  the  lym- 
phatic vessels  along  the  course  of  the  veins,  and  which  are 
aptly  described  as  ''like  a  cord  with  so  many  knots  tied  in  it.'' 
These  will  best  be  found  and  examined  on  the  inside  of  the 
hind-leg  or  thigh,  accompanying  the  course  of  the  large  vein, 
called  the  femoral  veins.     Both  thighs  should  be  examined,  lest 
one  might  not  be  affected.     By  following  this  knotted  cord  on 
up  to  where  the  thigh  joins  the  body,  (the  groin),  the  large 
gland  (the  inguinal  gland)  there  situated  will  be  found  swollen. 
Farcy-buds  or  buttons  now  make  their  appearance  along  the 
side,  under  the  belly,  and  along  the  back  of  the  forearm, 
and  about  the  face  and  neck.     These  huds  are  about  the  size 
of  a  five-cent  piece   in   diameter,  perfectly  round,   the  edge 
falling  off  abruptly;  and,  from  the  thickness  of  the  edge,  appear 
as  if  not  attached  to  the  flesh;  they  raise  to  the  hight  of  about 
half  an  inch,  and  have  a  small,  nearly  flat  top. 

After  awhile  these  buds  increase  in  number,  many  times 
forming  clusters  ;  some  of  them  begin  to  become  hot  and  ten- 
der, and  soon  ulcerate,  discharging  a  thin,  bloody  matter.  This 
ulceration  of  the  buds  marks  the  beginning  of  the 

Second  stage  of  the  disease.  Commencing,  then,  with  the 
ulceration  of  the  buds,  all  the  former  symptoms  become  aggra- 
vated. These  ulcers  continue  to  discharge  and  burrow  deeper 
in  the  flesh.  The  large  glands  in  the  groins,  which  were  swollen 
before,  now  form  large,  deep,  eating  ulcers ;  others  of  a  simi- 
lar  character  appear  between  the  fore-legs ;  and  one  or  both 
hind-leo-s  swell,  occasionally,  to  an  enormous  size,  or  the  hea^ 


FAECY.  69 

may  become  largely  swollen,  but  more  commonly  one  side  of 
the  nose.  The  animal  becomes  a  loathsome,  miserable  object, 
and  may  die  from  exhaustion  at  this  stage.  But  this  is  not 
generally  the  case.     Another  train  of  symptoms, 

Tlie  third  stage.,  occurs,  and  vre  have  a  case  of  glanders  in 
its  last  and  incurable  stage ;  and  the  disease  continues  its  on- 
ward progress  until  the  final  work  of  death  is  accomplished. 

But  farcy  does  not  always  pursue  this  regular  course  of 
symptoms.  Its  attack  is  sometimes  ushered  in  by  very  puz- 
zling symptoms ;  and  so,  also,  do  very  different  symptoms 
occasionally  take  place  during  the  progress  of  the  disease. 

Sometimes  the  horse  will  be  attacked  with  a  sudden  lameness 
in  one  hind-foot ;  can  hardly  carry  it  along ;  and  the  owner 
will  think  his  horse  must  have  been  exposed  to  accident  or 
hard  treatment.  He  examines  the  hip,  the  hough,  the  stifle, 
the  fetlock,  and  the  foot ;  perhaps  goes  to  a  blacksmith  and  has 
the  hoof  tried.  And  while  this  search  is  going  on,  the  horse 
may  get  well,  or  apparently  so,  at  least,  and  keep  so  for  a  few 
days,  or  even  weeks;  and  then,  suddenly,  and  unobserved, 
or  in  one  night,  one  of  the  legs,  more  frequently  the  hind-leg, 
swells  to  two  or  three  times  its  natural  size ;  and,  on  examina- 
tion, the  knotted  cord  or  the  farcy-buds  will  be  found,  and  the 
case  remains  no  longer  in  the  dark. 

Occasionally  the  head,  and  more  particularly  the  muzzle, 
will  be  the  seat  of  enormous  swelling,  accompanied  with  an 
offensive  discharge  from  the  nose.  In  other  cases  the  horse 
becomes  "hide-bound,"  with  loss  of  strength  and  flesh;  patches, 
of  the  appearance  of  mange,  are  distributed  over  the  skin ; 
the  legs  swell,  and  cracks  about  the  heels  occur.  Care  must 
be  taken  not  to  confound  this  appearance  of  the  disease  with 
"grease-heel,"  which  might  be  done,  by  a  careless  examina- 
tion.. 

Occasionally,  after  the  buds  have  formed,  they  become  hard 
and  difficult  to  disperse;  do  not  ulcerate;  the  horse  remain- 
ing for  many  months  apparently  well  of  the  disease.     But  the 


70  Ts-AVIX   OX   THE   HOESE. 

poison  is  still  in  the  system,  and  will  break  out  in  a  violent 
form,  and  soon  destroy  him. 

Causes. — From  what  has  already  been  said  of  this  disease, 
the  reader  will  have  expected  to  find  the  same  causes  operating 
to  produce  it  that  are  known  to  cause  glanders — and  such  we 
find  to  be  the  fact — surfeiting,  filthy  stabling,  overwork,  and 
infection.  Inoculation  with  the  matter  of  glanders  will  produce 
farcy,  and  with  that  of  farcy  will  produce  glanders.  Hence,  it 
seems  unavoidable  to  conclude  that,  if  glanders  is  the  result  of 
a  particular  poison,  farcy  is  the  consequence  of  the  same  poison 
operating  under  modified  circumstances.  Why  this  virus 
should,  in  the  one  case,  first  attack  the  mucous  membrane  lining 
the  air-passages,  and  in  the  other  the  lymphatic  vessels  and 
glands,  I  know  no  satisfactory  explanation.  Yet  the  fact  is  not 
at  all  inconsistent  with  well-known  phenomena  of  disease  in  the 
human  family,  as  well  as  in  the  lower  animals.  Two  persons 
may  be  exposed  to  the  miasm  of  a  damp  situation,  where  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  substances  are  decaying,  and  the  one  be  at- 
tacked of  typhoid  fever,  and  the  other  of  dysentery  or  fiux. 
Two  horses  may  be  exposed,  in  the  same  team,  to  a  hard  drive, 
rain,  and  cold,  and  the  one  take  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and 
the  other  pleurisy. 

The  older  writers  describe  two  varieties  of  farcy — button 
farcy,  the  one  we  have  described,  and  water  farcy.  But  the 
latter  is  now  known  to  be  of  an  entirely  difiierent  character  from 
true  farcy,  being  a  diffuse  inflammation  of  the  cellular  membrane. 
IS'o  difiiculty  need  be  experienced  in  distinguishing  between  the 
two  diseases.  In  the  latter  disease  the  swelling  is  in  larger 
lumps,  which  appear  very  suddenly,  and  is  attended  by  puffy 
swelling  of  the  limbs,  along  the  belly,  etc.  There  are  no  knot- 
ted cords,  nor  the  small  buds,  to  be  found.  Farcy  may  be  dis- 
tinguished from  surfeit-lumps,  which  are  large  and  irregular  in 
form,  and  of  short  continuance ;  sometimes  subsiding  or  going 
away  in  a  few  liours,  though  oftener  remaining  some  time.  (See 
Surfeit).     To  conclude  my  remarks  on  the  distinguishing  of 


FARCY.  71 

farcy  from  other  ailments,  I  skall  quote  from  an  eminent  veter- 
inary sm'gcon,  who  says : 

"  No  swelling  of  a  hind  limb,  or  any  other  part,  constitutes  a 
case  of  farcy  apart  from  the  unequivocal  signs  of  lymphatic 
disease.  There  must  be  present  corded,  nodulated  swellings — 
buds,  in  some  form  or  other — together  with  actual  or  approach- 
ing tumefaction  of  the  lymphatic  glands,  or  the  case  is  not 
farcy." 

Treatment. — The  same  measures  recommended  for  preventing 
the  liability  to  glanders  should  be  observed  to  avoid  farcy.  Care 
should  always  be  taken  not  to  let  well  horses  come  in  contact 
with  an  affected  one ;  and  when  there  is  danger  of  the  disease 
being  contracted,  as  when  it  has  occurred  in  a  stable  or  on  a 
farm,  or  when  on  a  journey,  a  piece  of  asafoetida  may  be 
wrapped  in  a  bit  of  cloth  and  nailed  in  the  bottom  of  the  trough 
of  each  horse,  or  in  the  watering-bucket,  or  tied  around  the  bri- 
dle-bit. The  trough  or  manger  in  which  a  glandered  or  farcied 
horse  has  been  fed  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed  and  w^ashed 
with  a  solution  of  chloride  of  lime,  prepared  as  follow^s  : 

Take — Chloride  of  lime 1  pound. 

Water 1  bucketful. 

Dissolve  the  lime  in  the  water,  and  wash  every  place  where  the  matter  or  pus 
may  have  lodged.  This  should  always  be  done  before  putting  another  horse 
in  the  same  stall  or  stable  ;  but  first  scour. 

As  it  is  impossible  to  tell  certainly  that  a  case  is  farcy  until 
the  ''knotted  cords''  before  described,  or  the  buttons,  have 
made  their  appearance,  all  that  can  properly  be  done  at  this 
stage  will  be  to  put  the  horse  out  of  work,  and,  if  in  summer, 
on  grass,  and  where  he  can  have  the  benefit  of  pure  air,  and 
not  be  exposed  to  foul  weather. 

But  when  the  buds  have  come  out,  the  case  is  no  longer  in 
doubt,  and  must  be  promptly  and  perseveringly  treated. 
Though  I  don't  bleed,  it  is  good  practice  for  the  farmers,  it  be- 
ing the  quickest.     The  first  measure  will  be  to  bleed  the  patient 


72  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

from  tivelve  to  sixteen  quarts,  or  until  he  perceptibly  shows  signs 
of  the  effect.  The  benefit  resulting  from  the  bleeding  is  not  so 
much  in  removing  any  impurities  by  the  quantity  of  blood  taken, 
as  in  the  shock  given  to  the  system,  whereby  those  organs — the 
skin,  the  lungs,  the  kidneys,  the  liver,  etc.,  part  of  whose  office  it 
is  to  remove  from  the  system  offending  matters — are  aroused  to 
a  more  vigorous  action,  and  thus  very  greatly  assisting  in  re- 
moving the  poison  producing  the  disease  from  the  system. 

Medical  Treatment. — Use  the  same  medical  treatment  as  in 
glanders,  (which  see) ;  and,  after  the  buds  or  button-like  tumors 
break,  anoint  them  with  the  medicine  applied  in  the  nostrils. 
If  the  legs  are  swollen,  physic  with  aloes;  to  one  pint  of  warm- 
water  add  Barbadoes  aloes,  one  ounce;  ginger,  one-quartei 
ounce.     Drench. 

Neiv  Treatment  for  Inveterate  Farcy. — Viz: 

Take— Yarrow  leaves 1  ounce. 

Yellow  dock 1  ounce. 

Garlic 1  ounce. 

Salt i  ounce. 

Tobacco \  ounce. 

Chop  fine  and  mix. 

Take  the  horse's  left  ear  and  lay  it  dow^n  along  and  over  the 
jugular  vein;  cut  the  skin  over  the  vein  where  the  blunt  turn 
of  the  inner  edge  of  the  ear  reaches ;  part  the  skin  from  the 
muscle  under,  forming  a  pouch  or  pocket;  fill  this  pouch  with 
the  herbs,  etc.,  as  above  directed,  to  the  amount  of  at  least  two 
ounces ;  leave  it  in  exactly  twelve  hours,  no  more,  nor  less ;  if 
left  in  thirteen  hours,  it  will  kill  the  animal.  After  the  twelve 
hours,  take  the  mass  out  and  wash  it  out  while  the  water  shows 
any  green  color;  then  insert  a  plug  made  of  the  fat  of  the  old- 
est smoked  bacon  you  can  procure.  Be  very  sure  to  not  plug 
too  tight,  but  leave  room  for  matter  to  escape.  Take  out  the 
bacon  once  every  day,  force  out  the  pus,  (matter),  and  return 
the  bacon ;  renew  the  bacon  when  it  gets  too  small  or  reduced^ 


MANGE.  73 

and  continue  till  the  skin  rots  over  the  pouch ;  then  keep  the 
animal  from  scratching,  lest  he  tears  the  jugular  vein. 

MANGE. 

Mange  is  a  very  highly  infectious  or  catching  disease,  which 
attacks  the  horse's  skin,  in  the  form  of  a  pimpled  eruption,  or 
breaking-out — the  skin  on  the  parts  aifected  soon  becoming- 
stripped  of  hair,  and  of  a  rough,  puckered,  scurfy  appearance, 
and  which  has  no  tendency  to  get  well  of  itself,  in  any  case,  but 
goes  on  from  bad  to  worse,  and  which  reduces  the  animal  to  the 
most  loathsome  object,  when,  finally,  he  dies. 

Symjytoms. — The  first  appearance  of  mange  is  generally  on 
the  upper  part  of  the  neck,  at  the  roots  of  the  mane.  Small 
pimples  may  be  observed,  which  soon  break ;  the  parts  become 
very  itchy;  the  hair  loosens  and  falls  ofi^;  the  skin  becomes  thick, 
and  covered  with  patches  of  thick  scurf,  like  those  in  a  bad  case 
of  surfeit ;  in  some  cases  a  watery  fluid  oozes  out,  and  a  scab 
forms,  which,  after  awhile,  puts  ofP,  leaving  a  large,  rough, 
scaly  spot.  In  the  mean  time,  these  blotches  or  scabs  are 
spreading  along  the  back  and  down  the  breast ;  the  skin  loses 
its  softness  and  elasticity,  and  becomes  puckered  or  gathered 
into  folds,  resembling  very  much  the  hide  of  the  elephant. 
One  prominent  symptom  from  the  beginning  is  itching.  It  is 
often  the  first  symptom  to  be  observed,  and  becomes  so  dis- 
tressing, that  the  horse  rubs  and  bites  himself  in  the  wildest  fury. 

The  general  health  of  the  horse  gradually  gives  way ;  he  loses 
his  flesh,  and  becomes  drooping ;  the  hair  over  the  parts  not 
affected  becomes  staring,  and  the  animal  finally  dies  from  ex- 
haustion and  continued  suffering.  He  may  die  in  a  few  months, 
or  may  linger  for  many  months. 

Causes. — That  mange  is  a  highly  contagious  or  catching  dis- 
ease does  not  admit  of  a  doubt.  It  is  as  much  so  as  itch  is  in 
the  human  family.  Some  veterinary  surgeons  regard  mange 
in  the  horse,  and  itch  in  the  human,  as  the  same  disease.  It  is 
attributed  to  little  insects  or  mites,  called  acari,  which  get  into 


74  NAYIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

the  skin,  and  which  increase  very  fast,  and  spread  over  the 
horse.  These  mites  are  too  small  to  be  seen  by  the  naked  eye. 
Many  millions  of  them  may  inhabit  a  few  inches  square  on  the 
horse's  skin.  It  is  by  these  little  insects  getting  from  a  horse 
having  mange  to  a  healthy  one  that  the  disease  is  catching, 
just  as  one  person  catches  the  itch  from  another.  If  the  same 
curry-comb,  brush,  blanket,  saddle,  bridle,  or  harness,  which  have 
been  used  on  a  horse  having  mange,  be  used  on  another  horse, 
he  will  almost  certainly  take  the  disease.  If  a  horse  having  it 
is  kept  in  the  same  stable  or  the  same  pasture  with  other 
horses,  they  will  all  be  likely  to  become  infected ;  so,  if  put  in 
the  same  stall  where  an  infected  animal  has  been  kept,  the  dis- 
ease will  be  taken. 

Mange  occurs,  also,  in  the  cow  and  the  dog,  and  may  be  com- 
municated from  either  to  the  horse.  On  this  there  is  difference 
of  opinion ;  but  the  safe  plan  is  to  keep  the  mangy  cow  or  dog 
entirely  away  from  horses,  for  in  this  course  there  is  no  risk. 

Other  causes  than  contagion  are  assigned  as  producing  mange, 
and  it  is  quite  certain  that  they  may.  Starvation  and  exposure 
are  capable  of  producing  the  greatest  derangement  of  the  horse's 
skin,  and  may  give  rise  to  mange,  as  they  certainly  do  to  hide- 
bound and  surfeit.  Filthiness  in  stable  management  is  put 
down  as  a  cause  of  this  loathsome  disease,  but  is  not  at  all  so 
likely  to  produce  it  as  some  other  affections.  It  may  aggravate 
the  disease,  when  once  started,  or  hasten  its  approach  when  the 
horse  is  starved  and  poverty-stricken.  The  derangement  of 
the  stomach  and  digestive  organs,  which  results  from  starvation 
and  poverty,  are  peculiarly  calculated  to  produce  disease  of  the 
skin  from  the  natural  sympathy  between  them. 

A  neglected  or  badly-treated  surfeit  may  degenerate  or  run 
into  mange. 

Mange  may  be  known  from  surfeit  by  the  loosening  of  the 
short  hair  along  the  roots  of  the  mane,  or  by  a  kernel,  or  hard 
lump,  which  may  be  felt  in  the  loose  flesh  in  the  flank,  which  is 
not  found  in  surfeit. 


MANGE.  75 

Lousiness  need  not  be  mistaken  for  mange,  for  a  careful  ex- 
amination will  discover  the  lice. 

Treatment. — The  internal  treatment  should  consist  of  such 
alteratives  as  have  a  particular  effect  on  the  skin.  The  first  of 
these,  in  my  estimation,  is  the  flax-seed  jelhj.  It  should  be  given 
daily,  at  each  feed.     The  following  should  also  be  given : 

Take — Sulphur 3  ounces. 

Cream  of  tartar 3  ounces. 

Powdered  sassafras 3  ounces. 

Powdered  May-apple  root 3  ounces. 

Mix,  and  divide  in  ten  parts.  One  to  be  given  in  the  feed,  night  and 
morning. 

As  an  external  application  or  ointment : 

Take — Pyroligneous  acid 4  ounces. 

Flowers  of  sulphur 4  ounces. 

Calomel 60  grains. 

Red  precipitate 40  grains. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1^  ounces. 

Lard 4  ounces. 

Mix  thoroughly,  to  form  an  ointment. 

Rub  this  on  every  part  of  the  body  showing  any  signs  of  the 
disease,  once  a  day.  Rub  it  on  thoroughly ;  but,  before  the  first 
application  of  the  ointment,-  wash  the  affected  parts  with  lime- 
water,  rubbing  well.  This  is  made  by  putting  a  lump  of  un- 
slacked  lime,  as  large  as  the  two  fists,  in  a  bucket  of  water,  and 
shaking  it  occasionally,  and  then  letting  it  settle.  The  water 
is  then  to  be  shired  off  for  use.  Any  rough,  hard,  scaly  part 
should  be  scraped  with  a  piece  of  hoop-iron,  to  remove  the  hard- 
ened scales,  before  using  the  ointment. 


76  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  DiaESTIVE  ORGANS. 

INDIGESTION. 

There  is  no  disease  more  common  among  horses  than  indi- 
gestion. It  is  more  generally  known  in  human  practice  by  the 
name  of  dyspepsia.  It  is  a  disease,  in  both  man '  and  horse, 
much  more  frequently  met  with  in  America  than  in  Europe. 
It  is  the  foundation  of  many  other  and  more  alarming  dis- 
eases that  afflict  the  horse,  among  which  may  be  mentioned 
flatulent  colic,  spasmodic  colic,  inflammation  of  the  stomach, 
bowels,  liver,  etc. ;  and  yet  it  is  a  disease  generally  overlooked 
by  the  owner,  and  often  by  the  professional  horse  doctor.  It  is 
true,  its  symptoms  may  be  so  trifling  in  the  early  stage  of  the 
disease  as  not  to  be  noticed ;  but  I  would  earnestly  recommend 
that  more  attention  be  paid  to  it,  that  its  evil  effects  may  be 
better  understood  and  guarded  against. 

Symptoms. — A  very  considerable  variety  of  symptoms  mani- 
fest themselves  in  a  case  of  indigestion,  so  the  same  train  must 
not  be  looked  for  in  every  case.  The  appetite  is  irregular ;  the 
horse  will  eat  Avith  his  usual  relish  for  a  few  meals,  and  then 
seem  to  get  a  disgust  for  food,  and  take  but  little,  or  none  at 
all ;  01  eat  every  particle  of  certain  parts  of  the  feed,  and  leave 
other  parts  untouched.  His  unnatural  appetite  is  observed 
in  his  eating  dirt,  dry  sticks,  pieces  of  brick,  and,  especially, 
the  dirty  straw  of  his  litter,  for  which  he  seems,  at  times,  to 
have  a  great  relish.  His  bowels  become  more  or  less  af- 
fected. The  dung  is  passed  in  hard  masses,  and  often  much 
undigested  grain  in  it,  and  covered  with  slime.  Worms  are  a 
common  attendant  of  indigestion.  The  dung  has  a  very  offens- 
ive smell,  as  also  the  wind  the  horse  often  passes.  The  smell 
of  the  manure  is  like  that  of  rotten,  fermented  vegetables ; 
and  often  the  horse's  stall  is  as  disagreeable  and  stinking  as  a 
sink  or  hog-pen.  Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  disease 
the  coat  begins  to  appear  rough  and  dry.     The  skin  is  cov-' 


INDIGESTION.  77 

ered  with  dandruff,  and  the  hide  is  tight  over  the  body.  The 
flesh  becomes  dried  up,  and  the  horse  can  not  improve,  even 
though  his  appetite  ma}^  be  perfectly  greedy,  as  it  often  is.  The 
breath  early  becomes  offensive,  or  even  stinking,  and  the  mouth 
and  teeth  very  foul. 

A  dry,  harsh,  tearing  cough  will  be  present  from  almost 
the  first,  which  is  very  severe  after  the  horse  takes  a  big  feed, 
and  especially  if  it  has  been  a  feed  of  the  dirty  litter  of  his 
stall.  His  spirits  are  stubborn  and  disagreeable,  and  he  per- 
forms his  labor  with  reluctance.  The  urine  (or  water)  is  change- 
able in  its  appearance,  but  generally  thick  and  offensive. 

Causes. — Half  starving,  and  then  stuffing  and  gorging  the 
horse,  to  bring  him  up  quick;  heavy  feeding  when  going  to 
hard  work  ;  allowing  him  to  drink  largely  of  cold  water  after 
feeding ;  too  stimulating  food ;  bad  ventilation  and  exposure, 
are  all  fruitful  causes  of  indigestion.  Unwholesome  feed,  as 
musty  shorts,  hay,  and  rotten  corn,  are  very  injurious  to  the 
horse's  stomach. 

Treatment. — There  is  no  disease  in  which  it  is  more  important 
to  ascertain  the  cause  wdiich  produced  it  than  indigestion.  If 
the  cause  can  be  ascertained,  and  the  horse  is  still  under  its  in- 
fluence, the  cause  must  be  removed.  If  the  horse  is  a  foul 
feeder,  of  course  he  must  be  prevented  from  his  evil  habits. 
He  must,  in  all  cases,  be  kept  in  a  clean  place,  and  have  pure 
air.  The  quantity  of  feed  each  particular  patient  will  require 
must  be  ascertained  by  allowing  it  a  reasonable  quantity,  and 
increasing  it  by  little,  until  the  amount  required  is  found. 
Green  feed  is  the  best;  but  boiled  oats,  chopped  corn  boiled, 
boiled  hay,  and  the  juice  drank,  are  good.  He  should  not  be 
allowed  much  water,  and  that  should  not  be  given  near  meal- 
time. No  water  should  be  allowed  for  an  hour  before  and  an 
hour  after  feedino-. 

Internally,  the  following,  to  restore  the  tone  of  the  digestive 
organs,  may  be  given : 


78  NAVIX   ON   THE    HORSE. 

Take — Powdered  asafoetida 2  ounces.  ■ 

Powdered  capsicum,  (red  pepper) 4  drams. 

Powdered  golden-seal 4  ounces. 

Powdered  sassafras  bark 8  ounces. 

Powdered  sulphate  of  iron 2  ounces. 

Shorts 2  pounds. 

jNIix,  and  give  it  in  doses  of  two  table-spoonfuls,  in  the  feed,  once  a  day. 

Put  a  poplar  pole  in  the  stall  for  him  to  gnaw  at.  Give  him 
the  ^^jlax-seed  jelhj^''  as  directed  when  describing  that  remedy. 
If  the  cough  should  prove  troublesome,  give  one  of  the  reme- 
dies recommended  in  chronic  cough.  The  horse  should  have 
plenty  of  salt. 

FLATULENT  COLIC. 

There  are  two  different  kinds  of  colic  to  which  the  horse  is 
liable,  and  which  are  generally  treated  of  by  authors  under  the 
one  name  of  colic.  It  is  true  that  some  of  the  symptoms  are 
very  much  alike,  and  even  those  of  some  experience  may  not 
at  all  times  be  able  to  immediately  determine  which  kind  of  colic 
the  case  belongs  to.  The  names  by  which  the  different  kinds  of 
colic  are  known  are  flatulent  or  windy  colic,  and  spasmodic  colic. 
The  term  gripes  is  used  by  some  as  a  name  for  all  kinds  of  colic. 
So,  when  you  hear  it  said  a  horse  has  gripes,  you  know  it  is 
meant  he  has  colic. 

Flatulent  or  windy  colic  is  by  far  the  more  frequent.  It  is  a 
very  distressing  disease,  and  runs  its  course  in  a  few  hours,  the 
horse  cither  getting  well  or  dying.  It  occurs  most  frequently 
during  those  seasons  of  the  year  that  the  horse  is  worked  and 
fed  on  green  food. 

Sijmj)toms. — The  attack  of  flatulent  colic  generally  comes  on 
very  suddenly.  The  horse  becomes  restless  or  uneasy,  com- 
mences pawing,  and  shows  other  signs  of  pain.  The  pain  be- 
comes more  severe ;  he  looks  around  at  his  side,  walks  about 
anxiously,  lies  down  carefully,  rolls,  showing  an  effort  to  keep 
on  his  back;  gets  up  carefully,  walks  around  as  if  in  search  of 


FLATULEXT    COLIC.  79 

something  to  eat,  and  may  for  a  little  time  apj^ear  as  if  much 
easier.  But  the  paroxysm  is  presently  renewed,  and  he  behaves 
as  before,  the  pain  evidently  becoming  more  severe.  Very  soon 
after  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  swelling  of  the  abdomen 
or  belly  will  be  noticed ;  this  is  caused  by  the  gas  or  wind  which 
is  collecting  in  the  bowels,  and  the  presence  of  which  is  the 
cause  of  the  suffering.  The  belly  will  be  found  tight,  and  will 
give  a  hollow  sound  if  thumped  or  rubbed  by  the  hand.  The 
feel  and  sound  thus  presented  are  very  different  from  the  healthy 
softness  of  the  bellv,  and  its  less  hollow  sound.  The  swellinir 
increases  ;  sometimes  the  swelling  will  be  so  great  that  it  would 
seem  as  if  the  hide  w^ere  stretched  to  its  utmost  capacity.  The 
horse  sweats  freely,  and  groans  with  pain.  His  breathing  be- 
comes difficult,  and  belching  finally  commences.  He  ceases  to  lie 
down,  as  if  fearing  his  ability  to  rise  again.  His  pulse,  which 
was  but  little  disturbed,  becomes  quick  and  rapid.  The  funda- 
ment (and,  if  a  mare,  the  bearing)  protrudes  or  pouches  out ;  the 
tail  is  more  raised,  the  gait  becomes  staggering,  often  to  one 
side,  and  finally,  the  horse  falls,  to  rise  no  more — generally  dies 
in  thirty  seconds  or  less. 

Such  is  the  ordinary  course  of  a  fatal  case  of  flatulent  colic. 
But  it  is  not  necessarily  a  fatal  disease.  Milder  cases  sometimes 
get  well  without  any  treatment;  and  the  worst  cases,  taken 
early,  will  very  seldom,  if  ever,  prove  fatal  under  proper  treat- 
ment. 

When  a  case  commences  to  get  better,  the  symptoms  before 
described  gradually  commence  to  disappear.  Particularly  will 
the  swelling  of  the  abdomen  commence  to  go  down.  The  par- 
oxysms or  spells  of  pain  become  less  severe,  and  longer  between 
them.  The  horse  commences  to  feed,  and,  in  a  short  time,  be- 
comes quite  comfortable.  The  disappearance  of  the  disease  is 
often  as  sudden  as  its  attack. 

Causes,  etc. — The  cause  of  colic  is  the  formation  of  a  lar^'e 
quantity  of  gas  in  the  stomach  or  bowels,  which,  distending  or 
swelling  them  beyond  their  natural  size,  and  interfering  with 


80  XAYIX    ox    THE    HOESE. 

their  natural  action,  gives  rise  to  great  pain.  This  gas  is 
mostly  carbonic-acid  gas.  It  is  not  "wind,"  but  is  like  it  in 
some  respects. 

But  what  causes  these  gases  to  be  formed  in  the  horse's 
stomach,  is  a  very  proper  inquiry.  This  being  known,  much 
may  be  done  to  prevent  horses  taking  colic. 

Indigestion  is  the  great  cause  of  colic.  Food  is  taken  into 
the  stomach  which  does  not  digest  properly,  but  remains  for 
some  time,  and  undergoes  fermentation,  and  in  this  process 
large  quantities  of  gas  are  formed,  and  colic  is  the  result.  As 
fermentation  progresses,  more  gas  is  formed,  the  colic  becomes 
worse  and  worse,  until  suffocation  and  death  take  place.  The 
attack  may  be  produced  by  the  horse  eating  largely  of  green 
grass,  especially  clover,  green  corn,  etc. ;  and  it  will  be  more 
likely  to  come  on  if  the  horse  is  allowed  to  drink  after  eating 
gi-een  food,  and  particularly  if  he  is  being  w^orked  or  ridden. 
A  drink  of  cold  water,  or  of  limestone  water,  will  frequently 
bring  on  an  attack  of  flatulent  colic  in  horses  whose  diges- 
tion is  not  good.  But  in  such  horses  the  attack  may  come 
on  after  any  kind  of  food,  and  often  without  any  observable 
cause. 

Flatulent  colic  may  be  mistaken  for  spasmodic  colic,  and 
for  inflammation  of  the  bowels.  In  flatulent  colic  the  swelling 
of  the  belly  commences  very  soon,  and  becomes  very  great, 
and  the  spells  of  pain  are  close  together,  the  intermission  not 
being  very  perfect.  In  spasmodic  colic  the  intermission  or 
relief  between  the  spells  of  cramping  is  more  perfect,  and 
there  is  but  little  swelling  of  the  belly.  The  horse  moves 
quicker  in  getting  up  and  lying  dowm  than  he  does  in  flatulent 
colic. 

The  table  on  the  following  page  shows  the  symptoms  by 
which  to  tell  colic  from  inflammation  of  the  bowels. 


FLATULENT   COLIC. 


81 


In  Colic. 
The  attack  comes  on  very  sudden. 

Spells  of  severe  pain,  and  then  rest,  or 

ease  from  pain. 
Motion  seems  to  give  relief. 
Pulse  not  much  different  from  health. 

iegs  and  eai-s  naturally  warm. 

Belly  will  bear  rubbing,  and  it  seems 

to  give  ease. 
Strength  but  little  affected. 


Li  Inflannnation  of  the  Boiceh. 

The  attack  is  gradual,  with  symptom* 
of  fever. 

Pain  constant,  and  gradually  in- 
creasing. 

Motion  increases  the  pain. 

Pulse  very  fast,  and  often  scarcely 
perceptible. 

Legs  and  ears  cold. 

Belly  very  tender;  will  hardly  bear 
to  be  touched. 

Gets  weak  very  fast. 


I  liave  sakl  nothing  in  this  phice  about  colic  being  mistaken 
for  bots.  -^^othing  is  more  common  than  this  fatal  mistake. 
How  many  thousands  of  horses  with  colic  have  been  drenched 
with  milk  and  molasses  for  bots  !  Hardly  a  case  of  colic  occurs 
in  the  country  but  some  fellow  argues  that  it  is  bots.  And 
what  is  the  consequence  of  this  throwing  milk  and  molasses 
into  the  colicky  stomach  ?  It  is  adding  fuel  to  the  flame ;  it  is 
like  pouring  oil  on  fire  to  put  it  out.  K'o  articles  ferment 
quicker,  nor  give  off  more  gas,  than  milk  and  molasses.  They 
can  not  but  do  harm.  But  when  it  is  remembered  that  there 
IS  no  such  disease  as  one  caused  by  bots,  no  sensible  person  will 
allow  his  horse  to  be  drenched  with  the  various  stufts  that  are- 
given  to  kill  them,  or  make  them  let  go. 

Treatment— 1\\  flatulent  colic  two  objects  are  to  be  accom- 
plished :  the  cramping  or  griping  pain  is  to  be  relieved,  and„ 
the  further  formation  of  gas  prevented.  As  soon  as  it  can  be- 
obtamed,  the  following  should  be  given : 

Take— Tincture  of  prickly-ash  berries 4  ounces. 

^^hisky 1  pi,jt_ 

"Warm  water ^  pjQ^^ 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

Then,  as  soon  as  it  can  be  obtained,  eive  the  followino-- 
6  e>  «. 


82  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

Take — Tincture  of  opium 1  ounce. 

Spirits  of  camphor 1  ounce. 

Sulphuric  ether 2  ounces. 

Chloride  of  lime 1  ounce. 

Water,  milk-warm 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

Blanket  the  horse  well,  and  give  a  little  walking  exercise. 
If  the  case  is  very  bad,  give  the  following  injection : 

Take — German  soap,  shaved |  pound. 

Tobacco 1  ounce. 

Salt 4  ounces. 

Hot  water 2  gallons. 

Mix  until  the  soap  is  dissolved.  Then  take  out  the  tobacco  leaves,  and  in- 
ject the  liquid  into  the  rectum. 

If  the  horse  is  not  better  in  one  hour  after  taking  the  second 
dose  recommended,  repeat  it,  leaving  out  the  tincture  of  opium, 
and  adding  one  ounce  of  the  tincture  of  capsicum.  After  the 
first  dose,  give  half  an  ounce  of  the  chloride  of  lime.  This  may 
be  given  every  hour  until  the  horse  is  well. 

If  the  tincture  of  prickly-ash  berries  can  not  be  obtained, 
the  following  may  be  used  in  its  place,  to  commence  the  treats 
ment : 

Take— Oil  of  cajeput 2  drams. 

Oil  of  cloves 2  drams. 

Oil  of  peppermint 2  drams. 

Oil  of  anise 2  drams. 

Alcohol 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  one  table-spoonful  in  half  a  pint  of  whisky. 

This  I  regard  as  one  of  the  best  remedies  in  flatulent  colic. 
It  would  do  well  to  follow  up  the  dose  of  the  second  prescrip- 
tion recommended  by  this,  adding  to  each  dose  three  or  four 
ounces  of  the  tincture  of  prickly-ash  berries,  if  it  can  be  ob- 
tained readily. 

SPASMODIC  COLIC. 

Most  writers  have  described  all  kinds  of  colix?  under  the  one 
igeneral  name  of  colic.     This  is  wrong.     Flatulent  or  windy 


SPASMODIC   COLIC.  83 

colic,  and  spasmodic  or  cramp  colic,  are  quite  different  in  their 
character,  and  require  very  different  treatment.  Spasmodic 
colic  is  a  disease  of  the  bowels,  characterized  by  frequent  and 
repeated  spells  of  violent  cramping.  It  occurs  more  frequently 
in  the  warmer  seasons,  but  may  be  met  with  at  any  time.  But 
a  very  small  portion  of  the  gut  may  be  attacked  by  the  cramp- 
ing, or  it  may  extend  along  a  large  portion  of  it.  The  twisting 
and  turning  may  be  quite  light,  or  of  the  most  powerful  charac'- 
ter.  After  death,  portions  of  the  guts  have  been  found  very 
strangely  twisted  and  contracted,  or  drawn  in.  The  gut  called 
the  ilium  is  the  usual  seat  of  the  disease. 

Si/m_ptoms.— Spasmodic  colic,  like  windy  colic,  is  sudden  in 
its  attack,  and  no  pre^'ious  symptoms  give  warning  of  its  ap- 
proach.    As   in   windy  colic,    the   horse   commences   pawing, 
striking  his  belly  with  his  feet;  looks  round  at  his  side,  and 
soon  lies  down.     In  spasmodic  colic,  he  lies  down  very  quick, 
and  gathers  his  legs  under,  as  if  he  wished  to  come  down  flat 
on  the  belly.     He  rolls  rapidly,  and  does  not  seem  disposed  to 
lie  on  his  back,  but  rolls  clear  over.     He  gets  partly  up,  and 
sits  on  his  rump  like  a  dog,  and  looks  round  at  his  side  for  a 
few  seconds;  rises  up  quickly,  and  may  even  shake  himself, 
and  appear  perfectly  easy,  and  go  to  picking  hay  or  grass,  as  if 
nothing  were  the  matter.     But,  in  a  short  time,  he  again  be- 
gins to  show  signs  of  uneasiness,  and  the  paroxysm  is  again 
renewed,  the  horse  behaving  as  before  described.     But  each 
successive  spell  becomes  more  severe.     The  horse  sweats  freety, 
the  sweating  commencing  earlier  in  the  attack  in  this  than  in 
windy  colic.     Another  symptom  which  I  have  often  observed 
in  this  variety  of  colic  is,  that  the  horse  frequently  turns  up 
his  upper  lip.     This  is  often  thought  to  be  a  "  sure  sign  of  hots-;' 
a  very  fatal^  mistake.     There  is  but  little  swelling  of  the  bowels 
m  spasmodic  colic,  and,  consequently,  no  great  tightness  of  the 
belly,  as  in  windy  colic.     After  the  disease  has  nearly  run  its 
course,  and  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  which  is  generally  the 
result  of  spasmodic  colic,  has  set  in,  there  will  be  some  degree 


84  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

of  swelling,  but  far  less  than  in  windy  colic.  The  absence  of 
swelling  of  the  belly,  in  this  kind  of  colic,  is  often  thought  to 
be  clear  evidence  that  it  is  a  case  of  lots.  Avoid  this  miserable 
humbug  of  bots. 

As  the  case  progresses,  the  symptoms  above  described  be- 
come more  alarming ;  the  breathing  becomes  hard ;  the  horse 
heaves  at  the  flanks,  and  groans  with  pain ;  the  pulse  becomes 
small  and  quick,  indicating  the  progress  of  fatal  inflammation. 

When  the  spells  or  paroxysms  of  pain  become  quicker  in 
their  return,  and  severer  and  longer,  with  heaving  at  the 
flanks,  quickening  of  the  pulse,  and  breathing  very  hard,  the 
case  may  be  regarded  as  alarming,  and  no  time  should  be  lost 
in  applying  treatment.  On  the  other  hand,  when  the  symptoms 
become  less  severe,  a  favorable  termination  of  the  case  may  be 
soon  expected.  The  horse  gets  well  very  quick  in  many  in- 
stances. 

The  diseases  for  which  spasmodic  colic  may  be  mistaken,  are 
flatulent  colic  and  inflammation  of  the  bowels— to  say  nothing 
about  hots.  The  symptoms  by  which  to  distinguish  it  from 
flatulent  colic  have  been  pointed  out  under  that  disease,  which 
see.  The  same  table  showing  the  difference  between  flatulent 
colic  and  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  will  serve  to  distinguish 
this  disease  from  inflammation  of  the  bowels. 

Causes. — An  irregular  and  violent  contraction  or  drawing 
up  of  a  portion  of  the  intestines  (or  guts)  is  what  produces  the 
pain,  etc.,  which  is  called  spasmodic  colic.  The  muscular  coat 
of  the  guts  is  liable  to  be  thrown  into  cramps,  like  the  muscles 
of  the  foot  or  calf  of  the  leg.  These  cramps,  continued  and 
repeated,  is  spasmodic  or  cramp  colic.  This  kind  of  cramping 
is  likely  to  take  place  in  horses  whose  digestive  organs  are  not 
in  a  healthy  condition.  Derangement  of  the  liver,  I  am  quite 
certain,  is  often  the  cause  of  cramp  colic.  The  attack  may  be 
brought  on  by  a  large  feed  of  dry  food,  drinking  cold  water  when 
hot,  or  exposure  to  sudden  cold. 

Treatment. — The  remedies  to  be  relied  on  in  this  disease  are 


k:n'ottixg  of  the  bowels.  85 

antispasmodics,  and  these  must  be  of  the  more  powerful  class. 
Administer  immediately  the  following  : 

Take — Chloroform 2  drams. 

Oil  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  asafoetida 2  ounces. 

"Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  dreucli. 

If  the  patient  is  not  better  in  one  hour,  give  this : 

Take — Sulphuric    ether 2  ounces. 

Tincture  of  camphor 1  ounce. 

Musk 3  grains. 

Ginger 1  ounce. 

Whisky 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.  Kepeat  every  three  hours,  omitting  the  ether, 
and  using  in  its  place  sweet  spirits  of  niter,  two  ounces,  until  the  patient  is  well. 

The  horse  should  be  blanketed,  and  his  food  should  be  light 
for  a  few  days. 

■       KNOTTING  OF  THE   BOWELS. 

Under  this  head  I  shall  explain  two  distinct  ways  in  which  a 
fatal  obstruction  in  the  guts  takes  place.  The  first  is  called 
intus-susception,  in  which  a  small  portion  of  the  gut  (the  ilium) 
is  drawn  in,  and,  by  the  powerful  action  in  colic,  is  forced  into 
the  wider  portion  joining  it,  like  a  small  tube  into  a  larger  one. 
When  this  takes  place,  nothing  can  pass  through  the  place  ob- 
structed ;  inflammation  and  mortification  soon  follow,  and  death 
is  the  unavoidable  consequence. 

The  other  difficulty  is  an  entanglement  of  the  guts,  in  which 
they  may  be  wound  into  nooses,  knots,  or  loops,  so  firm  that 
the  channel  of  the  gut  is  perfectly  closed.  This  difficulty  is 
another  result  of  colic,  and  for  which  there  is  no  remedy.  It 
is  followed  by  inflammation  and  mortification,  and,  of  course, 
death. 


86  XAVm   ox   THE   HOESE. 

These  difficulties  may  be  suspected  from  the  usual  symptoms 
of  colic  running  into  those  of  severe  inflammation,  the  pain 
and  torture  becoming  very  severe,  and  nothing  passing  through 
the  bowels.  But  there  are  no  symptoms  by  which  to  tell,  with 
positive  certainty,  which  of  these  troubles  has  taken  place. 
And,  if  there  were,  it  would  only  show  that  the  case  was  hope- 
less, for  nothino-  could  be  done  to  efifect  a  cure. 


3,    i.yji.    iivi;iJ.xxxj_, 


METEORIZATION. 

This  is  not,  properly  speaking,  a  disease  of  itself.  It  is  a 
symptom  liable  to  occur  during  the  progress  of  other  diseases 
of  the  bowels,  very  suddenly  and  unexpectedly.  It  is  a  most 
rapid  swelling  of  the  bowels,  by  the  accumulation  of  gas  in 
the  guts,  and  suffocation  is  threatened.  The  animal  looks  as 
if  blown  up,  as  a  boy  does  a  mole.  The  belly  is  as  tight  as 
a  drum-head,  and  the  wonder  is  that  it  does  not  burst.  From 
the  great  pressure  on  the  lungs,  death  must  soon  occur  from 
suffocation,  hence  the  gas  must  speedily  be  got  rid  of.  But  the 
back  channel  does  not  allow  any  thing  to  pass.  If  the  medi- 
cines given  to  expel  the  gas  do  not  act  quick,  there  is  only 
one  remedy  left,  and  that  is  to  plunge  an  instrument  through 
the  flank  into  the  swollen  or  distended  gut.  A  long,  narrow- 
bladed  knife  will  answer  for  this  purpose.  It  should  be 
plunged  into  the  side  or  flank  at  the  most  swollen  point.  A 
tube,  eight  to  ten  inches  long,  should  be  at  hand,  to  pass  into 
the  hole  as  soon  as  the  knife  is  taken  out.  It  would  be  better 
to  slit  the  skin  before  plunging  the  knife  in,  to  keep  it  from 
drawing  over  the  orifice  and  preventing  the  tube  from  being 
put  in.  The  tube  should  be  just  large  enough  to  fill  the  hole 
made  by  the  knife. 

After  the  gas  has  escaped,  the  animal  should  be  well  clothed ; 
and  when  he  gets  warm,  and  reaction  has  properly  come  up,  to 
prevent  the  occurrence  of  inflammation  of  the  peritoneum  from 
the  wound,  bleed  to  the  extent  of  eight  to  ten  quarts. 


STONE   IN   THE   BOWELS — STOMACH   STAGGEES.  87 

STONE  IN  THE  BOWELS. 

Hard,  stone-like  substances  sometimes  form  in  the  large  guts 
of  the  horse,  and  may  increase  to  several  pounds  weight. 
These  give  rise  to  colic,  and  obstruct  the  passage  through  the 
bowels.  Fortunately,  they  do  not  occur  very  frequently.  There 
are  no  symptoms  by  which  to  tell,  with  any  degree  of  certainty, 
that  they  exist  in  the  bowels,  and  no  known  means  of  re- 
moving them.     They  are,  probably,  a  result  of  indigestion. 

STOMACH  STAGGERS. 

Under  this  head,  I  shall  include  both  forms  of  staggers  aris- 
ing from  disordered  conditions  of  the  stomach;  and  I  deem 
this  course  proper,  from  the  fact  that  the  treatment  of  the  two 
does  not  essentially  differ. 

Spnj)toms. — The  earliest  symptoms  are  a  dull  heaviness,  or 
drowsiness,  with  languor  or  lassitude.  These  symptoms  may 
continue  for  a  day  or  more,  or,  in  some  cases,  not  so  long,  and 
may  not  attract  the  notice  of  the  owner  or  keeper.  But,  sooner 
or  later,  the  horse  grows  more  drowsy,  and  falls  asleep,  with 
his  head  down,  resting  against  the  trough  or  any  thing  conven- 
ient ;  his  sleep  seems  very  profound — perhaps  snoring ;  and  all 
of  a  sudden  arouses  up  as  if  scared,  throwing  his  head  violently 
about,  often  beating  it  against  the  rack  or  wall ;  pawing,  as  if 
in  the  act  of  moving  rapidly,  being  evidently  in  a  state  of  act- 
ive delirium  ;  the  eyes  wear  a  wild  expression  ;  the  horse  will 
sometimes  fall  and  rise  again ;  and  these  symptoms  continue 
until,  finally,  convulsions  (or  fits)  come  on,  and  the  horse  dies. 

In  other  cases,  the  drowsy  symptoms  continue,  and,  if  roused 
up,  the  horse  goes  to  eating,  grabs  a  bunch  of  hay,  and,  while 
in  the  act  of  chewing  it,  again  falls  asleep,  with  head  in  the 
manger ;  he  braces  his  head,  as  if  endeavoring  to  push  it  for- 
ward ;  if  he  moves,  his  gait  is  staggering.  These  symptoms 
continue  until  the  horse  drops  and  dies. 


88  NAYIX   OX   THE   HORSE. 

Causes. — An  eminent  writer  says :  "  This  disease  never  occurs 
except  by  the  fault  of  those  who  have  the  management  of  the 
horse."  However  true  this  may  be,  it  certainly  ought  to  be  a 
warning  to  all  owners  of  this  interesting  animal  to  consider 
well  the  importance  of  attention  to  the  subject  of  his  manage- 
ment. That  the  stomach  is  the  original  scat  of  trouble,  can 
not  be  doubted;  but  the  injury  is  reflected,  or  transferred,  as  it 
were,  from  the  stomach  to  the  brain ;  and  hence  the  s^anptoms 
are  of  a  cerebral  (relating  to  the  brain)  character,  instead  of 
indicating  disorder  of  the  stomach.  This  takes  place  through 
the  great  sympathetic  nerve,  which  originates  in  the  brain, 
and,  by  one  of  its  branches  and  its  divisions,  is  spread  all 
over  the  stomach.  The  way  in  w^hich  the  disease  is  generally 
brought  on  is  by  allowing  the  stomach  to  become  debilitated, 
or  weakened,  and  irritable  by  long  fasting,  excessive  labor, 
and,  perhaps,  without  water,  and  then  allowing  the  horse  to 
eat  of  dry  feed  until  the  stomach  becomes  crammed  or  dis- 
tended; and,  from  the  debility  present,  the  stomach  fails 
to  act  on  the  food  taken,  and  no  digestion  takes  place ;  the 
food  swells,  the  free  circulation  of  the  blood  is  obstructed, 
the  brain  becomes  irritated,  and  the  blood  flows  to  it  in  too 
great  quantity,  and  the  train  of  symptoms  described  is  the 
result.  When  the  stomach  is  weakened  or  debilitated,  it  does 
not  contract  on  the  food  taken,  and  hence  the  animal  has 
no  monitor  to  tell  him  when  enough  has  been  taken,  and  he 
continues  to  swallow  as  long  as  the  stomach  will  stretch  enough 
to  admit  any  thing  more.  This  condition  of  the  stomach  is 
often  brought  on  by  allowing  the  horse  to  go  from  morning  till 
night  without  feeding  or  watering.  No  horse  should  be  worked 
more  than  four  or  five  hours  without  feeding. 

The  only  diseases  with  which  stomach  staggei's  is  very  likely 
to  be  confounded,  are  mad  staggers  and  flatulent  colic.  It  may 
best  be  distinguished  from  the  former  by  careful  attention  to 
the  symptoms  of  the  case  generally,  and  especially  to  the  his 


BOTS.  89 

tory  of  the  case,  to  ascertain  if  the  horse  has  been  so  used  as  ' 
to  produce  debility  and  irritation  of  the  stomach,  and  then 
being  allowed  too  much  food  of  any  kind.  In  flatulent  colic, 
the  horse  gets  down  and  rolls,  looks  at  his  side,  etc.,  but 
does  not  stagger  when  he  goes  to  walk.  His  mind  is  not 
affected,  shows  no  signs  of  derangement  of  the  brain,  and  is 
swollen. 

I  will  here  repeat  what  I  have  often  urged,  in  substance,  at 
least,  that  there  is  no  practice  so  reprehensible,  and  so  likely  to 
do  mischief,  as  that  of  crowding  down  a  horse  gallon  after 
gallon  of  whatever  mixture  may  be  recommended  by  the  by- 
standers. Examine  cautiously  the  symptoms  of  the  case,  and, 
if  possible,  find  out  the  caiLse,  and  then,  when  you  feel  sure  of 
the  nature  of  the  case,  give  the  few  doses  necessary,  and  trust 
to  their  efficacy.  Do  not  torture  the  horse  by  those  villainous 
mixtures  of  every  offensive  thing,  which  are  so  often  poured 
down  the  poor  dumb  animal,  without  sense  or  reason.  Better 
leave  the  horse  to  nature — not  a  bad  doctor  generally — than 
pursue  such  a  course. 

Treatment. — The  prospects  of  successful  treatment  of  this 
disease  are  not  very  flattering.  Treatment  early  in  the  attack 
may  cure  it.  I  should  bleed  freely  in  the  start,  and  give  an 
active,  quick  physic. 

Take — Croton  oil 20  drops. 

Crude  mercury 5  grains. 

Mix.     To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  warm  waterj  as  a  drench. 


BOTS. 

The  bot  is  a  small,  reddish,  yellowish  grub  or  worm,  which 
may  be  found  fastened  to  the  inner  coat  of  the  uj^per  part  of 
the  horse's  stomach,  from  the  fall  until  about  the  latter  part 
of  the  following  summer.  When  the  bot  first  attaches  itself  to 
the  stomach  it  is  very  small,  and  would  hardly  be  noticed  if 
the  stomach  were  opened;  but  it  at  once  commences  to  grow, 


90 


NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 


a  Represents  the  egg  of  the  bot  on  a  hair. 

6  The  eggs  ripe  or  ready  to  have  the  grub  crawl  out. 

c  c  A  patch  of  the  stomach  with  a  half-grown  bot  sticking  on.  The  dots  are  the  places 
where  matured  bots  let  loose. 

d  A  full-grown  bot  ready  to  pass  through  the  stomach  and  bowels  naturally  and  be- 
come a  gad-fly. 

e  A  gad-fly,  the  ancestor  or  mother  of  the  bot. 


and  in  about  ten  to  eleven  months  will  have  attained  its  full 
size,  which  is  about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  length,  and 
little  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  thick.  The  bot  has  a 
pointed  head,  armed  with  two  hooks,  by  means  of  which  it 
attaches  itself  so  firmly  that  its  body  will  be  almost  torn  in 
two  before  they  will  let  go.  Between  these  two  hooks  is  its 
mouth,  or  sucker.  Its  body  is  marked  by  rings  running 
around  it. 

Bots  will  be  found  during  the  latter  part  of  the  fall,  winter, 
and  spring,  in  the  stomach  of  almost  every  horse  that  was  on 
grass  or  worked  in  the  field  during  the  fall.  The  number 
found  in  the  stomach  of  each  will  vary  from  half  a  dozen,  or 
less,  to  as  high  as  a  hundred. 

The  origin  and  history  of  the  bot  has  been  carefully  studied, 
and  some  facts  arrived  at  which  are  of  much  imj^ortance  to 
the  owner  of  the  horse.  Truth  is  what  every  one  ought  to  be 
anxious  to  find  out;  and  no  matter  what  may  have  been  one's 
opinion,  he  ought  not  to  let  that  oj^inion  stand  in  the  way  of 
his  believing  the  truth  when  it  is  clearly  presented.  There  is 
more  error  among  people  generally  about  bots  than  any  thing 
else  relating  to  the  diseases  of  the  horse.    For  this  reason  I 


BOTS.  91 

ask  my  readers  to  lay  aside  whatever  prejudices  they  may 
have  on  this  subject,  and  carefully  consider  what  long  experi- 
ence, and  the  examination  of  hundreds  of  cases  of  horses  after 
death,  have  led  all  thoroughly  educated  veterinary  surgeons  to 
believe  on  this  subject.  I  have  no  theory  to  sustain  by  what 
I  have  to  say  about  bots;  I  only  desire  to  present  truths, 
which,  I  am  sure,  may  save  the  lives  of  many  valuable  horses. 

Every  person  has  an  idea  that  a  species  of  gad-fly,  some- 
times called  the  nit-fly,  which  troubles  horses  very  much,  at 
pasture  or  working  in  the  field,  during  the  latter  part  of  sum- 
mer and  part  of  the  fall,  is  in  some  way  concerned  in  pro- 
ducing bots.  This  idea  is  very  correct.  The  nit-fly  is,  so  to 
speak,  the  mother  of  the  bot. 

By  examining  a  horse  that  is  on  pasture  or  worked  in  the 
field,  a  great  number  of  little  yellow  nits  will  be  seen  sticking 
to  the  hairs  on  the  legs,  flanks,  and  shoulders.  These  nits  are 
deposited  there  by  the  females  of  the  gad-fly.  The  fly  darts 
through  the  air  very  rapidly  toward  the  part  on  which  she  in- 
tends to  deposit  the  nit.  When  within  a  few  inches  of  the 
place,  she  poises  or  steadies  herself;  and,  drawing  herself  up, 
darts  upon  the  hair,  and  deposits  an  egg.  She  again  leaves, 
prepares  another  egg,  and  deposits  it  in  the  same  way.  Thus, 
one  fly  may  deposit  several  hundred  eggs  in  a  very  short  time. 
Very  soon,  by  the  heat  of  the  animal's  coat,  and  the  sun,  a 
very  small  maggot  is  hatched,  which,  crawling  out  on  the 
hairs,  produces  an  itching,  which  causes  the  horse  to  nibble  or 
bite  at  the  place.  By  this  means  the  maggot  gets  on  the 
horse's  tongue,  and  is  taken  into  his  mouth,  and  is  carried 
into  the  stomach  along  with  his  food.  On  reaching  the  stom- 
ach it  attaches  itself  to  the  upper  or  insensitive  part  of 
the  inside  coat  of  the  stomach.  For  a  description  of  this  part 
of  the  horse's  stomach  see  the  article  headed  "The  Stomach." 
By  studying  that  article  you  will  know  just  where  the  bot 
finds  its  stopping-place.  The  bot  remains  in  this  place  until 
about  the  end  of  the  following  summer,  when  it  becomes  full- 


92  XAYIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

grown,  and  lets  go,  and  is  carried  out  of  tlie  stomacli  along 
with  its  contents,  and  through  the  bov/els,  and  is  finally  thrown 
out  with  the  dung.  But  this  is  not  the  last  of  the  hot.  It 
burrows  in  the  ground,  decreaseis  somewhat  in  size,  its  outer 
skin  becomes  harder;  and  after  a  few  weeks  the  outer  shell 
opens,  and  a  young  gad-ily,  or  nit-fly,  comes  forth.  The  fe- 
male fly  becomes  impregnated,  and  commences  depositing  her 
eggs  on  the  horse's  coat.  Thus  we  have  traced  the  bot  in  all 
its  changes  and  habits ;  and  we  have  only  found  it  an  active 
animal  in  one  of  the  conditions  of  its  existence,  and  that  is  in 
the  state  of  the  gad-fly.  When  in  the  stomach  of  the  horse 
it  is  only  a  grub,  attached  by  its  hooks  to  that  part  of  the 
inner  coat  of  the  stomach  which  is  without  feeling.  Here  it 
grows  and  matures,  and  finally  loosens  its  hold,  as  a  ripe 
berry  loosens  its  stem,  and  passes  out  with  the  contents  of  the 
horse's  bowels.  It  is  supposed  that  the  bot  derives  its  nutriment 
from  the  mucus  of  the  stomach,  which  he  takes  in  by  his  mouth, 
or  sucker,  which  is  quite  buried  in  the  coat  of  the  stomach. 

There  are  a  great  many  mistaken  notions  prevalent  about 
the  bot.     I  will  refer  to  a  few  of  these : 

Some  suppose  that  bots  are  hereditary,  and  naturally  come 
into  the  horse's  stomach,  and  that  they  remain  there  until 
they  get  tired  of  their  dwelling-place,  and  set  to  work  to  bore 
out,  as  a  fellow  would  out  of  jail.  The  first  part  of  this  sup- 
position is  sufiiciently  answered  by  the  history  of  the  bot  just 
given.  It  has  been  shown  that,  fi'om  the  time  the  maggot  is 
taken  into  the  stomach,  to  the  time  the  full-grown  bot  is 
thrown  out,  it  is  about  ten  months.  And  from  about  the  last 
of  summer,  when  the  bots  have  matured,  until  the  beginning 
of  fall,  not  a  bot  can  be  found  in  the  stomach  or  bowels  of  one 
horse  in  a  thousand.  So  the  time  of  the  bot  in  the  stomach  is 
only  about  ten  months ;  and  if  the  horse  is  so  kept  during  the 
fall  as  not  to  get  any  nits  deposited  on  his  hair  by  the  gad- 
fly, he  will  not  have  a  bot  in  him  for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

Another  common  error  is,  that  the  horse  could  not  live 


BOTS.  *  93 

without  bots;  that  but  for  them  he  would  dwindle  and  die. 
This  opinion  is  quite  disproved  by  the  fact  that  the  horse  that 
is  not  exposed  to  the  nit-fly  during  the  fall  never  has  bots. 
Such  liorses  may  be  found  by  thousands,  and  yet  they  have 
good  health,  and  keep  in  good  condition. 

But  by  far  the  most  injurious  error  concerning  bots  is,  that 
they  are  the  cause  of  a  frequent,  rapid,  and  fatal  disease  in 
the  horse.  Is  a  horse  taken  sick,  no  matter  at  what  season  of 
the  year,  if  he  turns  up  his  lip,  looks  at  his  side,  or  ]}iits  his 
nose  against  it,  nine  out  of  ten  of  those  who  stop  to  look  at 
him  will  pronounce  the  case  bots.  Thus,  lung  fever,  pleuris}', 
inflammation  of  the  stomach,  bowels,  and  kidneys,  dry  gripes, 
colic,  gravel,  and  every  other  disease  of  the  internal  parts  of 
the  horse  have  been  pronounced  bots,  and  the  horse  drenched 
with  one  "bot  medicine"  after  another,  until  he  has  died,  or 
got  well,  in  spite  of  the  medicine.  And  this  doctoring  for 
bots  is  done  just  as  often  in  the  season  of  the  year  that  not 
one  bot  can  be  found  in  the  horse,  as  at  any  other  equal  length 
of  time;  yes,  and  on  horses  that  were  not  exposed  to  the 
gad-fly  in  the  fall  as  often  as  on  any  others. 

The  examination  of  hundreds  of  horses  that  were  said  to 
have  died  of  bots  has  shown  that  they  had  actually  died  of 
some  of  the  diseases  before  mentioned.  And  in  many  of  these 
cases  not  a  single  bot  has  been  found  in  the  stomach.  I  will 
select  a  case  or  two,  which  will  show  how  badly  persons  are  some- 
times deceived. 

A  fine  horse  at  one  of  the  livery  stables  was  taken  sick  about 
the  last  of  July,  and  the  case  pronounced  bots  by  the  peddler 
to  whom  he  belonged,  and  by  as  many  as  a  dozen  other  men, 
who  were  said  to  know  a  great  deal  about  horses.  I  was  sent 
for,  and  pronounced  the  case  colic,  and  that  the  horse  would  die, 
and  offered  to  bet  that  not  a  bot  would  be  found  inside  his  hide. 
He  died  in  about  an  hour.  He  was  opened,  and  the  stomach 
found  full  of  undigested,  swollen  food,  and  greatly  distended, 
and  not  a  single  bot  could  be  found. 


94  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

Another  case  occurred  about  the  end  of  July.  A  fine  mare, 
belonging  to  a  farmer,  died  before  I  reached  the  case.  Every- 
one present  said  she  died  of  bots.  I  differed  with  all.  She  was 
opened,  and  the  stomach  found  in  the  most  healthy  condition. 
But  a  perfect  knot  or  twist  was  found  on  one  of  the  small  guts, 
entirely  preventing  any  thing  from  passing  through  it.  ]\Iorti- 
fication  had  taken  place,  and  death  of  course  followed.  Kot 
one  bot  was  found  in  her.  She  had  been  drenched  and  dosed 
for  bots  for  two  days.  I  might  mention  other  cases,  but  these 
will  be  sufficient  to  show  what  an  examination  after  death  will 
prove. 

But  the  strong  and  clinching  argument  of  those  who  think 
bots  such  a  fearful  cause  of  disease  is,  that,  after  death,  it  is 
often  found  that  the  bots  have  bored  entirely  through  the  stom- 
ach. This  they  take  as  conclusive  evidence  that  the  bots  had 
gone  to  work  boring  through  the  stomach  when  the  horse  was 
yet  healthy,  and  that  the  symptoms  of  pain  the  horse  began  to 
show  were  caused  by  the  boring  of  the  bots. 

I  must  ask  the  patience  of  the  reader  while  I  explain  these 
points.  It  is  to  his  interest  to  understand  this  matter  perfectly. 
But  let  us  first  inquire  wdiy  the  bots  should  remain  so  long  in  the 
horse's  stomach,  which  is  their  natural  place  of  existence,  and 
then,  all  at  once,  set  to  work  to  bore  out  through  the  w^alls  of 
the  stomach,  thus  destroying  not  only  the  horse  they  lived  in, 
but  themselves  also  ?  This  is  a  question  for  the  bot  advocate 
to  answer :  Why  the  bots  should  commence  boring  through  a 
healthy  stomach?  It  is  the  dwelling-place  nature  furnished 
them ;  why  should  they  be  so  foolish  as  to  want  to  destroy  it 
while  it  is  yet  tenable.  Man  himself  is  seldom  so  foolish  as  to 
destroy  his  own  house,  with  himself  in  it.  He  does,  sometimes, 
tear  his  house  down,  when  it  is  on  fire,  especially  if,  by  accident, 
he  is  locked  in  it  when  it  takes  fire.  We  will  find  that  the  bots 
act  on  the  same  principle  of  self-preservation  when  they  do 
commence  boring  out  of  the  horse^s  stomach. 

It  has  been  shown  that  the  stomach  of  the  horse  is  the  natural 


liOTs.  95 

place  of  existence  for  the  offspring*  of  the  gad-fly  during  about 
ten  months  of  its  existence ;  that  it  is  attached  to  that  part  of 
the  inside  coat  of  the  stomach  by  its  two  hooks,  and  that  its 
mouth  is  quite  buried  in  this ;  and  that  its  food  is  the  mucous 
secretion  of  the  stomach.     These  facts  should  be  borne  in  mind. 

JN^'ow,  if  the  bots  do  commence  boring,  what  is  the  cause  of 
it  ?  It  can  not  be  because  the  food  in  the  stomach  is  distasteful 
to  them,  for  they  never  taste  that ;  their  food  is  the  secretion 
of  the  stomach  itself,  not  its  contents.  And,  before  any  con- 
siderable change  can  take  place  in  the  character  of  the  mucus 
secreted  by  the  stomach,  very  serious  disease  of  the  stomach 
itself,  or  of  the  horse's  general  system,  must  take  place. 

When  the  bots  commence  boring,  what  is  it  for  ?  It  is  be- 
cause their  natural  food  has  so  changed  that  it  is  no  more  fit 
for  their  use,  and  has  actually  become  their  poison.  They  then 
set  to  work  and  bore  to  the  second  coat  of  the  stomach ;  but 
their  trouble  is  not  yet  relieved,  and  they  may  go  on  through 
into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen  or  belly.  But  such  change  in 
the  character  of  the  mucus  can  not  take  place  until  the  horse 
is  far  gone  in  disease,  or  nearly  dead.  In  the  great  majority 
of  cases  of  disease,  the  bots  remain  perfectly  quiet  and  secure 
until  the  animal  is  dead.  Their  dwelling-place  is  then  de- 
stroyed, and  their  food  becomes  poison.  They  go  to  work  to  get 
out,  but  get  only  into  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen,  their  situa- 
tion being  not  at  all  bettered  by  the  change. 

From  these  reasons,  it  is  certain  that  bots  never  attack  a 
healthy  stomach,  and  hence,  such  a  thing  as  a  disease  being 
produced  by  their  boring  does  not  exist.  They  are  in  no  case 
the  cause  of  any  of  those  diseases  which  are  so  often  pronounced 
''botsr 

If  any  one  is  not  satisfied  that  the  fact  of  bots  being  found 
to  have  bored  through  the  stomach  is  no  evidence  that  they 
produced  the  disease  of  which  the  horse  died,  let  him  open  the 
stomachs  of  any  number  of  horses  that  have  died  in  the  spring 
of  the  year,  some  hom-s  after  death,  and,  no  matter  what  dis- 


96  NAYIX   OX   THE   HORSE. 

ease  the  horses  may  have  died  of,  the  bots  will  be  found  either 
at  work,  or  already  bored  through  the  stomach.  They  never 
went  to  work  of  their  own  will ;  the  changes  the  stomach  had 
undergone  while  the  animal  was  dying,  or  after  he  was  dead, 
caused  them  to  go  to  Avork. 

So  far  as  is  now  known,  the  bots  are  quite  harmless  in  the 
horse's  stomach.  There  is  no  known  disease  caused  by  them. 
An  intelligent  and  careful  examination  of  the  symptoms  of  any 
of  those  cases  commonly  pronounced  "^ofo,"  will  show  that 
the  case  is  one  of  gripes,  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  colic,  or 
some  other  disease  of  the  internal  organs. 

Instead  of  bots  being  dangerous  in  the  horse's  stomach,  and 
liable  to  produce  disease,  some  intelligent  veterinary  surgeons 
have  thought  they  may  serve  sonie  valuable  purpose.  But 
this  is  not  certain.  But  it  is  true  that,  while  thousands  of 
horses  have  bots  in  them,  they  enjoy  quite  as  good  health  as 
those  without  them.  They  seem  in  no  way  to  aifect  the  horse's 
health. 

If  the  foregoing  arguments  and  conclusions  are  true,  it  will 
readily  be  seen  how  utterly  useless  are  the  thousand  and  one 
drenches  and  potions  which  are  so  oftep  given  to  cure  the  horse 
of  bots.  It  will  also  be  seen  that  many  of  them  may  prove 
not  only  useless,  but  may  do  very  great  injury.  For  the  most 
dangerous  and  destructive  articles  are  often  given  under  the 
vain  idea  of  "  making  the  bots  let  go" — articles  which  any  sens- 
ible man  ought  to  know  would  kill  the  horse.  I  have  known 
a  quart  of  strong  ooze  or  infusion  of  tobacco  poured  down  a 
horse  for  this  purpose.  Corrosive  sublimate  has  been  given. 
Among  the  less  harmful  measures  may  bo  mentioned  milk 
and  molasses,  lime-water,  buttermilk,  sage  tea,  and  the  use 
of  charms. 

Under  the  use  of  these  means,  time  is  given  the  horse  to 
get  w^ell,  if  whatever  disease  he  is  suifering  from  is  not  too 
powerful  for  nature  to  effect  a  cure.  But  they  are  certainly 
useless.     And,  if  the  case  is  a  severe  one,  this  foolery  of  bot 


BOTS.  Q» 

treatment  causes  valuable  time  to  be  lost,  and,  very  likely 
the  death  of  the  horse.  The  treatment  is  for  an  imao-inary 
tooTte  ^""'^  ^^^  ^'^''^  '''''' ''  ''""^  cliscovered  until,  perhaps,  it  is 

..^^f  '^  f]\^'^^  ""''"  ^'^"^  troubling  the  horse,  let  us  see 
what  would  be  the  prospect  of  getting  them  away.  Their 
mouths  are  buried  in  the  mucous  coat  of  the  stomach,  and  their 
bodies  are  covered  with  a  tough  skin,  so  that  nothing  taken 
into  the  stomach  can,  in  any  way,  get  into  the  bots,  to  make 
them  sick  and  let  go  their  hold.  Again,  any  thing  strono- 
enough  to  sufficiently  irritate  the  skin  of  the  bots  to  "make 
them  let  go,"  would  be  strong  enough  to  kill  the  horse.  Eots 
will  live  for  a  long  time  in  turpentine,  and  even  aqua  fortis" 
(nitric  acid)  does  not  immediately  kill  them 

It  is  impossible  to  tell  whether  there  are  bots  in  a  horse's 
stomach  or  not.  There  is  no  sign  or  symptom  by  which  the 
fact  can  be  known.  And  if  there  were,  it  would  be  of  no  real 
advantage,  which  is  very  fortunate. 

When  the  bots  have  matured,  and  of  their  own  will  let  go^ 
their  hold,   and  are  passing  out  with  the  dung,   they  may 
fasten  under  the  horse's  ^ail  and  among  the  hair,  to  some  ex- 
tent.    All  that  IS  necessary  is  to  brush  them  off.     There  is  no 
call  for  dosing  or  doctoring  the  horse  for  bots  or  worms  in 
such  a  case. 

Every  one's  experience  must  have  convinced  him  that 
Jots  IS  the  great  ^^scaj^e-ffoat^'  of  our  numerous  pretended: 
horse  doctors."  It  is  a  blessed  thing  for  them,  when  ther 
do  not  know  what  ails  the  horse,  to  call  it  "bots,"  and  go  to 
^ork.  But  the  intelligent  owner  will  not  allow  his  horse  doc- 
tored for  this  imaginary  disease.  Better  trust  the  horse  to 
nature,  than  have  medicines  blindly  poured  down  him.  He 
will  be  much  more  likely  to  get  well. 

I  have  taken  up  much  space  with  this  subject.  I  have  I 
believe  presented  many  important  truths.  I  know  it  is  hard 
to  overturn  long-established  notions.     I  have  no  love  for  dif- 


98  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

fering  with  men,  but  I  have  great  love  for  truth,  and  I  cer- 
tainly believe  that  what  I  have  said  will  be  the  means  of 
saving  many  valuable  horses  from  destruction. 

Treatment— K\\  I  have  to  say  is,  that,  when  a  horse  is  sick, 
and  said  to  have  "bots,"  study  well  his  symptoms,  and  ascer- 
tain the  real  disease  atfecting  him,  and  then  use  the  proper 
remedies  to  cure  it.  Do  not  alloAV  drenches  and  the  like  to 
be  given  for  "^ofe."  They  will  do  no  good,  unless  by  acci 
dent,  and  very  likely  they  will  do  mischief.  Nature  herself 
will  not  kill  as  many  horses  as  the  bot-doctor  will.     Trust  her 

rather  than  him. 

DIARRHEA. 

This  is  too  frequent  operations  on  the  bowels— the  opera- 
Ttions  being  changed  in  their  appearance  from  their  condition 
an  health.  The  bowels  being  simply  loose  should  hardly  be 
.called  diarrhea.  Such  a  case  requires  but  little  more  than 
rest  and  some  attention  to  diet.  But  the  case  may  continue 
Tintil  the  horse  is  certainly  not  well  in  consequence  of  it,  and 
yet  the  operations  present  no  bad  appearance.  I  would  then 
Tecommend  the  following: 

Take— Rhubarb,  powdered .' 1  ounce. 

Salts  of  tartar 1  ounce. 

Ginger,  powdered 4  drams. 

Opium,  powdered 1  dram. 

Mix,  and  divide  in  three  parts,  and  give  one  every  three  hours,  in  gruel,  as  a 
•drench,  until  cured. 

But  if  the  operations  are  of  a  very  watery  character,  and  of 
a  dirty,  whitish,  yellow  color,  and  only  mixed  with  the  proper 
matter  of  the  bowels,  and  the^  strength  and  spirits  of  the  an- 
imal are  becoming  reduced,  give  this : 

Take— Tincture  of  camphor 2  ounces. 

Sulphuric  ether 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  opium 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 


SCOURS   IN   COLTS.  99 

If  the  purging  is  not  checked  in  four  hours,  give  the  same 
again.  Let  his  diet  be  dry  meal,  and  let  him  have  but  little 
water.     Hay  tea  may  be  given  as  a  drink. 

If  it  is  intended  to  check  the  bowels  at  once,  the  following 
may  be  given: 

Take— Tannin 40  grains. 

Tincture  of  opium 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  kino 1  ounce. 

^^'ater 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.     To  be  repeated  in  three  hours,  if  necessary. 

But  the  safest  plan  is  to  use  such  remedies  as  the  first  of 
the  above  prescriptions.  By  such  a  plan  the  unhealthy  con- 
dition of  the  bowels  is  corrected,  and  then  the  discharges 
checked  up. 

SCOURS  IN  COLTS. 

Scours,  or  diarrhea,  is  by  no  means  an  uncommon  disease 
among  young  colts,  occurring  from  the  age  of  a  few  days  to  a 
few  months.  It  resembles,  in  its  character,  cholera  infantum 
m  the  human  infant,  but  occurs  at  a  more  tender  age,  gener- 
ally. It  is  a  very  fatal  disease,  and  especially  so  when  harshly 
treated.  *^ 

Symj^toms.—The^e  can  hardly  be  mistaken.  Very  frequent 
operations  on  the  bowels,  of  a  thin,  watery,  dirty  character, 
attended  with  griping  pain;  the  spirit  and  strength  of  the  colt 
tan  very  fast;  the  discharges  from  the  bowels  become  of  a 
green  or  slate  color,  and  sickeningly  offensive;  and  the  pa- 
tient  dies  from  the  effects  of  the  loss  of  strength  and  internal 
inflammation.  All  cases  do  not  seem  to  be  alike,  but  the 
auove  IS  the  general  course  of  the  disease. 

Causes.^Bad  management  or  ill  health  of  the  mother  is 
the  chief  cause  of  scours  in  the  foal.  I  will  here  refer  the 
reader  to  what  has  been  said  on  breeding  and  raisino-     I 


jQO  NAVIN  oyi   THE  HOKSE. 

have  c^enerally  found  that,  where  the  colt  takes  scours,  the  dam 
Svd  ^Lsual  quantity  of  milk,  and  hence  the  colt  takes 
It  than  it  is  able  ^o  digest  But  it  is  lil^ly,  m  .uch^-e 
that  the  milk  becomes  unhealthy  before  drawn  C«  ■!«' "^ ^ 
nosure  to  bad  weather,  may  bring  on  scours  m  the;<>l\^y J^/f 
iffecting  the  dam,  and  then  the  colt,  or  it  may  affect  the  colt 

'^Mient.-A^  prevention  is  always  better  than  cure  the 
bre^Xr  should  so'attend  to  his  mares  ^^'^^^^-^^^^l^ 
npr.,n-  in  the  colts.     No  sudden  change  m  the  feed  of  the  maie, 
"or  her  general  management  as  to  stabling,  etc.,  should  be 

^^t^rhL" t;t  up  and  fed  on  dry  feed,  she  shouW 
be  changed  from  that  to  pasture,  or  green  feed,  very  grad- 
ually S^e  should  not  be  turned  out  on  a  bare  pasture,  with 
Toth  herself  and  her  colt  to  nourish  on  the  P"-Pk  of 
"root  hog,  or  die,"  as  is  too  often  the  case.  The  maie 
suek  no-  r  foal  needs  good,  regular  feeding,  and  wants  o 
be  protected  from  foul  weather.  If  her  digestion  or  bowel 
are  deran-ved  by  starving,  unwholesome  diet,  or  gorging  oi 
Ty  otlier^eause!  scours  in  the  colt  will  very  certainly  be  the 

'''' At*  the  tender  age  this  disease  occurs  we  must  give  medi- 
eint  very  c"  utiouSy,  lest  we  kill  our  patient.  Medicines 
Xven  to  L  mother  Vill  affect  the  suckling  young;  hence  we 
may  reach  the  colt  in  this  way: 

Take— Pulverized  yellow-root 1  o"^^*- 

Pulverized  rhubarb ° 

„,       i.,1  1  ounce. 

Salts  of  tartar 

Tincture  of  prickly -asb  berries -  ounces. 

Tincture  of  opium "  »™'«'- 

Thin  gruel .-pins. 

Mix,  and  give  one-third  part  to  the  mother,  every  four  hours,  as  a  drench. 

The  following  may  be  very  safely  given  to  the  colt: 


COSTIVENESS   IX   COLTS.  101 

Take — Powdered  rhubarb 40  trains. 

Powdered  yellow-root 40  o-rains. 

Salts  of  tartar ; GO  grains'. 

I  Essence  of  peppermint 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  prickly -ash  berries 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  opium X  ounce! 

Thin  gruel 1  pj^t 

Mix,  and  give  four  table-spoonfuls  to  the  colt  as  a  drench,  every  three  hours. 

Milk  the  mare,  so  that  the  colt  will  get  only  enough  milk  to 
keep  him  up.  Strong  hay  tea  is  good  to  nourish  him,  given 
frequently  as  a  drench. 

COSTIVENESS. 

Costiveness  hardly  deserves  to  be  called  a  disease,  but  it 
may  be  symptomatic  of  some  lurking  disease  in  the  system. 
It  may  be  so  obstinate  as  to  require  special  treatment 

Treatment.— The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  give  a  physic 
to  open  the  bowels.  These  medicines  may  be  given  with  a 
view  of  restoring  the  bowels  to  a  healthy  action.  For  a 
physic,  give  one  ounce  of  aloes  and  a  table-spoonful  of  o-ino-er 
in  a  pint  of  warm  water.  Feed  bran,  scalded,  before  and  after 
giving  the  physic.  To  restore  the  healthy  action  of  the  bow- 
els, give  one  of  the  "condition  powders,"  recommended  in  an- 
other part  of  this  work. 

COSTIVENESS  IN  COLTS. 

This  is  quite  a  common  ailment  in  young  colts,  but  is  not 
generally  dangerous.  It  is  known  by  the  colt  not  havino-  an 
operation  on  its  bowels  for  a  considerable  time.  It  may  be  ow- 
ing to  derangement  of  the  mother's  system.  See  that  her 
health  IS  properly  attended  to.  A  physic  given  the  dam  will 
open  he  colts  bowels.  But  it  is  not  always  prudent  to  wait 
this  .slow  process.  Take  a  piece  of  Castile  or  common  bar-soap, 
of  sufficient  size  to  make  a  plug  about  two  inches  long,  and  as 
thick  as  the  little  finger;  moisten  it,  and  gently  force  it  into  the 


102  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

anus  or  fundament,  and  let  it  remain.  This  will  cause  the  bow- 
els to  act.  One  or  two  grains  of  podophyllin  given  every  day 
to  a  colt  that  is  troubled  with  costiveness  will  cure  it.  It  may 
be  given  in  a  few  table-spoonfuls  of  water.  Twenty  grains 
given  to  the  mother  will  have  the  same  eifect. 

JAUNDICE. 

This  disease  is  sometimes  called  yellows.  It  is  known  by  a 
yellow  discoloration  of  the  skin,  which  is  caused  by  the  bile 
not  being  carried  oif  from  the  liver  in  the  natural  way,  but 
taken  into  the  blood,  and  spread  through  the  whole  system. 
The  yellowness  can  only  be  seen  w^here  the  parts  are  not  cov- 
ered with  hair;  but  every  part  of  the  skin,  fat,  flesh,  and 
every  part  through  which  the  blood  flows,  if  it  could  be  exam- 
ined, would  be  found  to  be  tinged  wdth  the  yellowness  of  the 
bile. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptoms  of  jaundice  that  will  likely 
be  noticed  are  yellowness  of  the  mouth,  nose,  and  eyes,  and  a 
yellowness  of  the  urine,  or  w^ater.  These  symptoms  ^\\\\  show 
that  the  case  is  one  of  jaundice.  But  before  these  symptoms 
may  have  been  observed,  other  appearances  of  ill  health  may 
have  been  noticed.  The  horse  may  have  been  observed  to  be 
lazy  or  sluggish  in  his  movements,  and  drooping  when  stand- 
ing. As  the  disease  progresses,  the  sinking  of  the  strength 
and  spirits  increases;  the  head  hangs  down,  the  eyelids  fall, 
and  may  become  quite  closed.  There  is  a  great  degree  of 
stupor,  and  the  horse  reels  or  walks  unsteadily,  and  this  may 
even  be  so  bad  that  he  may  fall  down.  His  breathing  is  af- 
fected, and  his  pulse  increased  in  frequency.  The  bowels  are 
costive,  and  the  dung-balls  are  hard,  and  smeared  over  with 
a  yellow,  slimy  mucus.  The  water,  throughout  the  whole 
course  of  the  disease,  is  scant  and  yellow. 

Causes. — The  immediate  cause  of  the  disease  is  the  bile 
being  carried  from  the  liver  into  the  blood,  instead  of  passing 
from  the  liver  into  the  intestine  or  gut.     The  horse  has  nr 


JAUNDICE.  103 

gall-bladder,  like  many  other  animals,  and  for  this  reason  he 
is  not  liable  to  have  jaundice  from  the  bile  becoming  hardened 
in  it.  It  must  be  caused  by  some  obstruction  in  the  one  duct, 
or  tube,  which  conveys  the  bile  from  the  liver  to  the  gut  as 
fast  as  it  is  formed,  or  in  the  substance  of  the  liver  itself. 
Jaundice  may  follow  inflammation  of  the  liver,  and,  I  think,  is 
generally  the  result  of  a  mild  attack  of  inflammation  of  the 
liver.  It  may  accompany  inflammation  of  the  stomach  or 
lungs,  the  liver  being  affected  by  sympathy. 

Treatment. — The  object  is  to  arouse  the  liver  to  the  healthy 
performance  of  its  office;  or,  if  the  disease  results  from  ob- 
struction in  the  biliary  duct,  to  relax  it  so  as  to  let  the  bile 
flow  freely  into  the  bowels.  As  it  can  not  be  ascertained 
which  of  these  objects  is  the  one  to  aim  at,  I  make  use  of  such 
remedies  as  will  accom23lish  either,  or  both,  at  the  same  time. 
In  the  first  place,  apply  a  blister  over  the  liver.  If  the  pa- 
tient does  not  improve  rapidly,  reapply  it  every  day.  Intern- 
ally give  the  following  relaxing  cathartic  dose : 

Take — Powdered  aloes 6  drams. 

Powdered  May-apple   root 4  drains. 

Powdered  lobelia  herb 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  quart. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.     If  it  does   not   physic  in  twelve  hours,  repeat 
the  dose. 

After  the  action  of  the  physic,  follow  up  with  the  following: 

Take — Powdered  May-apple  root 2  ounces. 

Powdered  golden-seal 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  divide  in  twelve  papers ;  one  to  be  given  twice  a  day  in  warm  water. 

The  above  physic  may  be  repeated  every  third  day,  if  the 
horse  does  not  improve. 


104  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

BLISTERS  ON  THE  TONGUE. 

The  tongue  of  the  horse,  though  a  very  important  organ, 
is,  fortunately,  very  seklom  the  seat  of  disease.  It  is  some- 
times affected  by  blisters  of  greater  or  less  size  appearing 
along  the  under  surface,  and  occasionally  on  the  cheeks,  and 
characterized  by  the  dribbling  of  saliva.  The  disease  can  not 
be  mistaken  if  the  mouth  be  examined. 

Treatment. — The  blisters  must  be  nipped  with  a  pair  of  scis- 
sors, to  let  the  fluid  out  of  them.  Then  take  powdered  alum, 
one  table-spoonful,  and  myrrh,  one  tea-spoonful;  mix,  and  wrap 
►  up  in  a  piece  of  thin  muslin,  and  tie  it  around  the  bridle-bit, 
and  put  the  bridle  on  him  for  one  or  two  hours  every  day  until 
cured;  or,  after  clipping  the  blisters,  mix  burned  alum  and 
meal,  or  bran,  and  scour  the  mouth  three  times  a  day  with  the 
mixture. 

SLAVERINa. 

From  certain  causes  the  glands  of  the  horse's  mouth  become 
excited  to  secrete  a  great  quantity  of  saliva,  and  it  runs  from 
the  mouth  in  the  form  of  slavers ;  it  may  be  to  such  an  ex- 
tent, or  so  long  continued,  that  the  horse  may  be  seriously  re- 
duced in  strength  and  flesh  by  it. 

The  principal  cause  of  slavering  is  the  eating  of  white 
clover.  But  it  does  not  afl'ect  all  horses  alike.  Some  will 
soon  get  used  to  it,  so  that  it  will  not  affect  them.  Mercury 
will  salivate  the  horse;  the  sharp  edge  or  snag  of  a  tooth, 
or  a  rough  bit,  with  a  rough  rider  or  driver,  may  cause  sore- 
ness or  irritation  of  the  mouth,  and  slavering. 

Treatment. — Get  rid  of  the  cause.  If  it  is  clover,  or  clover 
hay,  stop  its  use.  If  a  broken  tooth,  take  it  out;  if  a  sharp 
edge  of  a  tooth,  rasp  or  file  it  smooth ;  if  a  rough  bit,  change 
it.  In  any  other  case,  see  that  the  horse  has  good,  wholesome 
food,  and  look  to  it  that  he  is  not  laboring  under  worms  or 
indigestion. 


THEUSH    IX    THE    MOUTH — AVORMS.  105 

If  the  slavering  does  not  stop  with  the  removal  of  the 
cause,  use  the  following: 

Take — Powdered  bay-berry  bark 1  ounce. 

Powdered  sumac  berries 1  ounce. 

Powdered  ginger 1  ounce. 

Flowers  of  sulphur 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  a  table-spoonful  of  the  powder  in  the  feed,  two  or  three  times 
a  day. 

The  mouth  may  be  washed  once  or  twice  a  day  with  alum- 
water,  or  a  strong  tea  of  any  astringent  plant  or  bark,  as  black- 
berry root,  white-oak  bark,  or  witch-hazel. 

THRUSH  IN  THE  MOUTH. 

Thrush  (or  apth?e)  in  the  mouth  consists  of  little  red 
patches  or  pimples  on  the  inside  of  the  mouth  and  on  the 
tongue.  There  is  considerable  heat  and  tenderness  in  the 
mouth,  and  the  horse  chews  his  food  with  difficulty,  often 
letting  it  fall  out  of  his  mouth.  These  sores  may  become  of 
considerable  depth,  and  quite  offensive.  Apthse  generally 
occurs  in  young  horses.  It  may  be  the  result  of  that  irrita- 
tion which  attends  teething. 

Treatment. — A  strong  tea,  or  infusion  of  sage  and  hyssop, 
with  honey  and  borax,  makes  a  good  wash  for  the  mouth ;  to 
be  applied  three  times  a  day,  with  a  soft- swab.  An  ounce  of 
tincture  of  muriate  of  iron,  to  half  a  pint  of  water,  is  good. 
Half  an  ounce  of  chlorate  of  potash,  to  half  a  pint  of  water, 
is,  perhaps,  the  best.     To  correct  digestion : 

Take — Powdered  golden-seal 2  ounces. 

Powdered  sassafras 4  ounces. 

Flowers  of  sulphur ' 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  two  table-spoonfuls  at  a  dose,  twice  a  day,  in  chopped  or  cut 
feed. 

WORMS. 

There  are  several  different  kinds  of  worms  found  in  the  in- 
testines of  the  horse.  Of  these,  the  principal  are  the  long 
7'ound-ivorm,  found  in  the  small  intestines,  and  the  needle-ivorm^ 


106  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

found  in  the  large  intestines.  Other  varieties  are  sometimes 
found  in  the  stomach  and  bowels,  but  it  is  not  necessary  to  de- 
scribe them. 

The  long  round-worm  is  from  six  to  ten  inches  long,  and  re- 
sembles the  common  earth-worm,  or  the  same  worm  found  in 
the  human.  It  inhabits  the  small  intestines.  Very  large 
numbers  of  them  may  exist  in  the  horse's  bowels,  and,  by  their 
drain  on  the  food  of  the  horse,  and  the  obstruction  they  cause 
to  the  natural  action  of  the  intestines,  cause  him  to  lose  con- 
dition, and  though  he  may  eat  quite  enough,  not  be  benefited 
by  it. 

The  needle-ivorms  occupy  the  large  bowels,  sometimes  in  in- 
credible numbers.  They  are  darker-colored  than  the  long 
round-worms.  They  are  from  three-quarters  of  an  inch  to  two 
inches  in  length.  They  are  slim  and  sharp-pointed.  Great 
numbers  of  them  often  descend  into  the  rectum^  or  last  gut, 
and  become  very  troublesome  to  the  horse. 

The  tape-worm  is  very  seldom  met  with  in  the  horse.  It 
could  only  be  certainly  known  by  parts  of  it  being  found  in 
the  dung. 

Symptoms. — Worms  may  exist  in  the  horse's  bowels  in  con- 
siderable quantity,  without  causing  disturbance  of  his  health. 
The  symptoms  of  worms  are  not  always  very  satisfactory. 
When  they  are  troubling  him  much,  the  coat  will  become  un- 
thrifty, the  hide  tight,  and  belly  tucked  up,  and  the  appetite 
greedy.     Cough  may  sometimes  be  caused  by  worms. 

But  these  symptoms  may  indicate  other  diseases,  and,  of 
course,  a  careful  examination  for  any  other  disease  that  gives 
rise  to  the  same  symptoms  should  be  made;  and,  if  none  can 
be  found,  worms  may  be  suspected,  and  remedies  for  their  re- 
moval given. 

But  a  very  reliable  symptom  of  worms  is  a  rough,  scaly  ap- 
pearance about  the  fundament,  which  may  be  seen  by  raising 
the  horse's  tail.  A  still  more  reliable  one  is  the  discharge 
of  a  whitish,  yellow  mucus,  which  dries  up,  leaving  yellowish 


WOKMS.  107 

scales  sticking  around  the  fundament  or  anus.  This  generally 
indicates  the  presence  of  needle-worms. 

A  horse  troubled  with  needle-worms  will  also  show  signs  of 
uneasiness,  frequently  rubbing  his  tail  against  objects,  or  tuck- 
ing it  under  and  switching. 

Causes. — Some  suppose  worms  to  be  natural,  and  even  ben- 
eficial, in  the  bowels;  but  this  is  a  mistake.  An  unhealthy 
condition  of  the  mucous  coat  of  the  boAvels  is  most  likely  the 
cause  of  worms.  Under  the  head  of  worms  I  have  not  said 
any  thing  of  bots,  for  they  are  not  properly  worms. 

A  very  careful  examination  of  the  symptoms  is  the  only 
way  to  distinguish  between  worms  and  some  other  diseases 
which  present  nearly  the  same  symptoms. 

Treatment. — Several  diiferent  preparations  are  used  for  ex- 
pelling worms.     Among  them  the  following  maybe  relied  on: 

Take — Powdered  aloes 1  ounce. 

Calomel 60  grains. 

Tartar  emetic 30  grains. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

The  following  is  also  effectual  in  removing  worms : 

Take — Tartar  emetic 1  ounce. 

Powdered  aloes 2  ounces. 

Powdered  ginger 2  ounces. 

Saltpeter 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  twice  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

The  following,  though  in  country  places  somewhat  difficult 
to  obtain,  is  a  certain  remedy  for  any  kind  of  worms : 

Take — Powdered  white  Indian -hemp  root 1  ounce. 

Powdered  May-apple  root 1  ounce. 

Powdered  pink-root 1  ounce. 

Powdered  bitter-root 1  ounce. 

Powdered  balmony 2  ounces. 

Powdered  aloes i  ounce. 

Mix  tlioroughly  together,  and  give  one  table-spoonful  of  the  powder  every 


108  NAVIX   0^   THE   HOUSE. 

twelve  hours,  mixed  in  half  a  tea-cupful  of  molasses  and  a  pint  of  warm  water, 
as  a  drench,  until  it  physics.     In  five  or  six  days,  give  it  again  the  same  way. 

The  pin-worms,  which  sometimes  inhabit  the  rectum,  or  last 
gut,  may  be  brought  away  by  an  injection  of  strong  salt-water, 
or  a  tea  of  tobacco. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BEEATHING  ORGANS. 
COMMON  COUGH. 

This  is  more  properly  called  chronic  cough.  It  is  the  dregs 
or  remains  of  other  diseases  of  the  air-passages,  in  most  cases. 
It  is  a  disease  which  should  not  be  neglected,  for  it  will,  very 
likely,  run  into  more  serious  disease.  Chronic  cough  must 
not  be  confounded  with  the  cough  which  occurs  in  other  dis- 
eases, as  catarrh,  influenza,  bronchitis,  strangles,  etc. 

Sym;ptoms. — This  affection  is  known  by  a  continued  cough, 
mostly  of  a  harsh,  dry  character,  but,  in  some  cases,  a  thick 
mucus  is  thrown  out  from  the  nose.  The  general  health  of 
the  animal  is  not  usually  much  aifected.  The  disease  is,  as 
before  remarked,  the  result  of,  or  remains  after,  the  disappear- 
ance of  more  severe  diseases  of  the  lungs  and  air-passages. 
In  these  cases,  in  which  irritation  of  the  air-passages  is  the 
cause  of  the  disease,  the  cough  will  be  excited  when  the  horse 
drinks  cold  water,  or  is  taken  out  into  the  cold  air,  and  there 
will  be  some  mucus  discharged  in  most  cases.  When  the 
cough  results  from  worms,  it  will  be  soft,  and  accompanied 
with  a  frothy  mucus;  the  horse's  coat  will  be  staring,  and 
other  symptoms  of  worms  be  present.  A  cough  resulting 
from  deranged  digestion  is  harsh  and  hard,  and  very  violent, 
and  generally  occurs  after  eating,  when  the  stomach  la  dis- 
tended and  pressing  on  the  lungs. 


COMMON   COUGH.  109 

Causes. — These  have  been  sufficiently  explained  in  giving 
the  descrij^tion  and  symptoms. 

Treatment. — This  will  depend  much  on  the  cause  of  the 
cough.  A  clean,  dry  stable,  with  fresh,  pure  air,  is  very  im- 
portant. In  a  cough  depending  on  irritation  of  the  air-pas- 
sages and  lungs,  following  other  diseases,  give  this : 

Take — Tartar  emetic 1  ounce. 

Resin 2  ounces. 

Blood-root.  .♦ 1  ounce. 

Salts  of  tartar 2  ounces. 

Ginger 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  a  tea-spoonful  three  times  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

When  the  cough  results  from  worms,  treat  tJie  jpatient  for 
worms,  and  then  give  the  above,  if  the  cough  continues. 

When  the  cough  is  dependent  on  derangement  of  the  di- 
gestive organs,  the  following  may  be  used: 

Take — Powdered  golden-seal 2  ounces. 

Powdered  blood-root 2  ounces. 

Powdered    pleurisy -root 2  ounces. 

Garlic,  cut  fine 4  ounces. 

Sulphur 2  ounces. 

Powdered  sassafras  bark 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  a  table-spoonful  twice  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

The  horse  should  not  be  allowed  as  much  water  as  he  will 
drink,  so  that  he  will  more  readily  drink  flax-seed  or  slij^pery- 
elm  mucilage,  which  he  should  have  plenty  of  while  the 
cough  continues. 

NASAL  GLEET. 

This  is  a  disease  of  a  chronic  or  continuous  character,  man- 
ifesting itself  in  a  very  copious  discharge  from  the  nostrils, 
but  is  not  attended  by  any  other  of  the  ordinary  symptoms 
of  cold,  except  in  the  first  stage  of  the  disease.  In  all  other 
diseases  of  these  parts  the  glands  are  affected. 

Si/mjjfoms. — The  symptoms  of  this  affection  are  not  numer- 


110  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

Oils,  and  it  may  be  distinguished  from  other  diseases  by  the 
characteristics  mentioned  when  we  come  to  speak  of  the 
causes.  A  discharge  of  yellowish  mucus  from  the  nose,  of  a 
thick  character,  and  in  Large  quantity,  and  thrown  out  many 
times  during  the  day,  is  the  only  particular  symptom  of  the 
disease.  This  discharge  is  subject  to  certain  changes;  some- 
times stopping  for  several  days,  in  fine  weather,  and  then  re- 
appearing as  bad  as  ever.  It  may  also  assume  a  greenish 
hue,  or  be  streaked  with  green,  when  the  horse  is  at  grass. 
This  is  caused  by  the  green  coloring  matter  of  the  grass  mix- 
ing with  the  mucus  far  back,  where  the  nostrils  open  into  the 
mouth.  It  will  occasionally  be  streaked  with  pus,  or  matter, 
which  must  be  discharged  from  ulcers  within  the  cavity  of  the 
nose.  The  disease  may  continue  for  many  years,  and  do  the 
horse  but  little  apparent  injury;  but,  by  its  continual  wasting, 
it  may  reduce  the  horse  to  low  condition,  and,  consequently, 
predispose  to  other  diseases,  or  even  destroy  him.  This  dis- 
ease is  very  annoying,  as  it  renders  every  thing  about  the 
horse  most  filthy. 

Causes. — Many  contrary  opinions  of  the  nature  and  cause 
of  this  disorder  are  entertained.  Some  are  of  opinion  that  it 
is  a  forerunner  of  glanders,  or  is  the  first  stage  of  it,  and,  if 
neglected,  will  terminate  in  it.  Others  think  it  the  effect  of 
"broken  wind."  Several  other  causes  are  assigned.  That  it 
is  not  necessarily  connected  with  glanders,  I  think  is  evident 
from  the  following  facts:  Gleet  is  a  profuse  discharge;  gland- 
ers is  a  scant  one.  The  discharge  in  gleet  changes  its  color,  or 
is  stained  by  the  food;  the  discharge  in  glanders  keeps  of  one 
color.  Glanders  ulcerates  the  nostrils,  with  no  tendency  to 
heal;  gleet  does  not,  or  very  seldom,  and  when  ulcers  do  oc- 
cur, they  heal  of  themselves.  Gleet  never  runs  into  farcy; 
glanders  often  does.  I  have  known  horses  to  have  gleet  for 
five  or  seven  years,  and  run  and  work  with  others,  and  never 
infect  them,  or  "give  them  the  disease." 

Any  disease  that  reduces  the  constitution  may,  perhaps, 


NASAL   GLEET.  Ill 

terminate  in  glanders  or  farcy,  or  give  rise  to  them.  So  will 
bad  treatment,  and  ^^oor  keeping,  in  a  close,  dirty  stable.  In 
this  way,  gleet  may  result  in  glanders,  but  I  deny  that  it  is  a 
forerunner  of  glanders,  or,  in  any  way,  necessarily  connected 
with  it.  The  membrane  lining  the  extensive  cavity  of  the 
nose,  called  the  sniderian  membrane,  secretes  a  mucous  fluid 
for  the  purpose  of  moistening  its  surface.  Now,  when  this 
membrane  is  inflamed  or  irritated,  this  secretion  is  greatly 
increased,  as  in  cold.  It  is  well  known  that  when  active  in- 
flammation or  irritation  is  neglected,  or  imj)ro];)erly  treated, 
it  will  become  chronic.  Such  is  the  character  of  gleet.  It 
is  a  chronic  irritation  of  this  membrane. 

A  familiar  example,  of  an  entirely  similar  irritation,  is  ob- 
served in  continued  sore  eyes  in  the  human  patient,  being 
the  result  of  active  inflammation  from  cold. 

Its  efi*ect  is  to  cause  a  thickening  of  this  very  thin  lining 
of  the  cavity  of  the  nose,  and  keep  up  a  constantly  increased 
flow  of  its  secretion.  And  it  most  frequently  results  from 
catarrh  or  strangles. 

Treatment. — This  disease  is  by  no  means  readily  cured. 
Being  of  a  chronic  character,  it  requires  time  and  patience  to 
eff'ect  a  cure.  The  horse  should  have  good  feeding,  not  of  a 
stimulating  character,  and  should  be  carefully  protected  from 
exposure  and  damp,  cold  weather.  Pure  air  is  very  im- 
portant to  him.  The  following  internal  remedy  must  be 
given : 

Take — Alum,  pulverized 2  ounces.      » 

Indigo,  pulverized 1  ounce. 

Cantharides,  (Spanish  flies),  pulverized.  .2  drams. 

Spanish  brown 1  ounce. 

Mix  thoroughly  together,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  twice  a  day,  in  the 
horse's  feed. 


The  use  of  this  should  be  continued  until  the  discharge  has 
stopped,  and  the  inside  of  the  nostrils  are  of  their  natural 
appearance.      At  the   same   time  of  commencing  with  the 


112  NAV^IX   OX   THE   HORSE. 

above,  commence  using  the  following,  to  be  injected  into  the 
nostrils  • 

Take — Sugar  of  lead h  ounce. 

Sulphate  of  zinc ^  ounce. 

Blue  vitriol ^  ounce. 

Warm  rain-water 1  gallon. 

Dissolve  the  other  articles  in  the  water. 

Inject  enough  of  this  to  pass  entirely. up  the  nostrils,  once 
a  day,  with  a  syringe.  Continue  the  use  of  this  as  long  as 
the  discharge  continues,  or  until  the  cure  is  effected.  Keep 
his -head  raised  above  a  level  when  using  it. 

BLEEDING  FROM  THE   NOSE. 

This  may  occur  in  the  advanced  stages  of  certain  diseases. 
It  is  also  a  symptom  of  apoplexy  and  congestion  of  the  brain. 
An  ordinary  bleeding  from  the  nose  is  not  at  all  dangerous. 
Rest,  and  cooling  applications  to  the  head,  and  a  gentle 
physic,  or  from  four  to  eight  quarts  of  blood  taken  from  the 
jugular  vein,  will  prevent  a  threatened  attack  of  apo2)lexy. 
The  bleeding  is  a  very  safe  remedy  when  on  a  journey,  and 
medicines  are  not  in  reach,  or  their  action  can  not  be  waited 
for. 

If  the  bleeding  is  from  one  nostril,  and  of  a  dirty  color, 
and  frothy,  and  the  breath  fetid  or  stinking,  and  the  blood  is 
mixed  with  matter,  the  case  is  one  of  glanders,  sure.  Beware 
of  him. 

CONSUMPTION. 

The  lungs  of  the  horse  are  the  seat  of  a  disease  in  every 
respect  similar  to  consumption  in  the  human  subject,  and 
quite  as  fatal  in  its  results. 

Symptoms. — The  first  observable  symptoms  are  a  degree  of 
hide-bound  with  the  common  unthriftincss  of  the  coat.  After 
awhile  a  slight  cough  may  be  observed,  and  the  muscles  may 
be  observed  to  be  becoming  flabby,  the  horse  loosing  strength, 
and  sweating  on  the  slightest  exertion.     The  breatliing  be- 


\  CONSUMPTION^.  113 

comes  more  rapid  and  laborious,  with  slight  heaving  at  the 
flanks.      The  cough  becomes  worse,  but  short  and  dry;   the 
pulse  will  be  found  small  and  increased  in  frequency.     The 
horse  is  down  in  spirit,  and  is  evidently  sick.     Pressing  on 
the  spaces  between  the  ribs  will  show  that  there  is  tenderness 
in  the  chest.     Dj'speptic  symptoms  are  present,  the  appetite 
being  sometimes  good,  but  at  other  times  very  poor.     As  the 
disease  advances,  all  the  symptoms  become  aggravated;  the 
horse   loses  strength  rapidly,  the  cough  becomes  worse,  the 
breath  very  offensive,  and  a  thick,  corruption-like  matter  is 
discharged  from  the  nose.     Diarrhea,  dropsical  swelling  of  the 
legs,  and  great  wasting  of  the  flesh  take  place,  and  death  re- 
lieves the  doomed  victim.     Such  are  the  ordinary  symptoms 
of  consumption,  and  it  is  hoped  they  will  be  sufficient  to  enable 
the  ordinary  observer  to  suspect  the  existence  of  the  formida- 
ble disease.     But  many  of  these  sj^mptoms  may  attend  other 
maladies,   and  hence   the   horse   should    not  be  too  hastil^r 
condemned  as  the  subject  of  consumption. 

Causes.— There  can  be  but  little  doubt  consumption  is  one  of 
the  diseases  of  the  horse  peculiarly  the  result  of  domestica- 
tion.    It  is  much  more  common  in  the  cities  than  in  country 
places,  doubtless  owing  to  the  greater  impurity  of  the  air  in. 
the  city;   the  city  air  being  deficient  in   oxygen  and  over- 
charged with  carbonic-acid  gas,  thus,  by  necessity,  producing: 
a  carbonized  condition  of  the  blood,  which  is  the  very  cause- 
of  tuberculous  disease,  whether  it  seats  itself  in  the  lungs  or 
any  other  organ.     Ill  treatment,  as  a  close,  filthy,  confinedi 
stable,  may  produce  this  disease.     A  peculiar  form  of  body- 
may  render  one  horse  more  liable  to  it  than  another.     This 
peculiar  form  may  be  transmitted  from  sire  or  dam  to  the  off- 
spring.    If  they  have  feeble  lungs,  of  course  their  stock  will 
have  such.     Leggy,  thin-chested  horses,  with  naturally  feeble 
lungs,  can  not  resist  the  causes  of  consumption  as  well  as  horses- 
with  large  chests  and  powerful  lungs. 
Treatment— From  what  has  been  said  above,  it  is  evident 
8 


J[14  XAYIN   ON   THE   HOKSE. 

that  if  this  disease  would  be  avoided,  the  breeder  must  look  to 
it  that  his  mares  have  good,  large,  sound  lungs,  and  that  he 
breed  them  to  horses  with  such.     By  this  means  the  first  found- 
ation for  consumption  will  be  avoided.     In  the  next  ])lace,  his 
habits  of  work  and  stable  management  must  be  such  that  the 
most  perfect  development  of -the  lungs  will  be  received,  and  the 
horse  have  the  best  pure  air  possible.     Attention  to  the  laws 
of  health,  as  given  in  another  part  of  this  work,  will  render 
consumption  almost  unknown,  except  in  cities.     And  here  the 
most  careful  attention  to  the  purity  of  the  air,  and  proper  atten- 
tion  to  the  horse,  is  the  best  that  can  be  done.     It  can  hardly 
be  possible  to  avoid  it  entirely  in  the  city. 

After  tubercles  have  once  formed  in  the  lungs,  and,  of  course, 
occupied  very  much  of  their  space,  and  advanced  to  such  an 
•extent  as  to  give  rise  to  those  symptoms  which  are  recognized 
as  constituting  a  case  of  consumption,  we  have  but  the  least 
faith  in  any  thing  effecting  a  cure.     We  don't  believe  m  it  at 
all     And  if  it  were  possible,  by  a  course  of  half  a  year  or  a 
year  of  treatment,  to  make  a  cure— and  it  certainly  could  take 
no  less  time— would  the  horse,  with  a  large  part  of  his  lungs 
useless  as  they  certainly  would  be,  be  worth  the  time  and  ex- 
pense devoted  to  him?     But,  as  other  and  curable  diseases 
may  sometimes  be  mistaken  for  consumption,  a  horse  supposed 
to  have  consumption  should  be  allowed  the  benefit  of  reasonable 
time,  and  some  general  alterative  treatment.     Humanity  ^yould 
dictate  as  much.     I  would  suggest  the  following:  Let  the  horse 
be  put  on  grass,  if  possible,  when  the  weather  will  admit  of  his 
being  out,  but  be  kept  up  at  night  in  a  well-ventilated  stable 
Let  him  have  a  feed  of  oats,  meal,  or  shorts  in  the  morning,  and 
use  as  an  alterative  the  following  prescription : 

Take— Phosphate  of  lime 2  ounces. 

Powdered  blood-root 2  ounces. 

Powdered  golden-seal 2  ounces. 

Powdered  resin 2  ounces. 

Powdered  spikenard 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  table-spoonful,  in  the  feed,  once  a  day. 


HEAVES,    OR   BROKEX-WIjN^D.  115 

This  may  be  continued  for  a  lengih  of  time.  Tar-water  may 
^e  given  liim  to  drink,  which  he  will  take,  after  becoming  dry 
enough 

DEOPSY  OF  THE   CHEST. 

^  This  is  a  collection  of  serum,  or  water,  in  some  of  the  cavi- 
ties of  the  chest.  The  quantity  of  water  may  be  very  great. 
It  is  always  fatal.  The  scientific  name  of  the  disease  is  hjdro- 
thorax. 

Symptoms. ~T\\cvQ  is  considerable  excitement  of  the  system, 
the  pulse  increased  in  fi-equency,  the  breathing  very  laborious' 
the  feet  and  legs  cold,  and  there  is  some  puffiness  or  water 
under  the  skin,  about  the  chest  and  breast;  the  gait  is  awkward 
and  straddling  with  the  fore-feet.  The  animal  loses  flesh  very 
fast,  and  looks  haggard;  strength  rapidly  fails,  and  the  ani- 
mal refuses  to  lie  down  until  death  takes  place. 

Causes.~T\\Q  most  common  causes  of  dropsy  of  the  chest  are 
badly-treated  pleurisy,  pneumonia,  etc.  Any  thing  which  re- 
duces very  much  the  red  part  of  the  blood  may  cause  it. 

Treatment— AW  experience  would  seem  to  show  that  this  dis- 
ease is  out  of  the  reach  of  medicine.  I  believe  one  result  has 
attended  every  plan  yet  suggested,  and  that  is  death.  Tap- 
pmg  has  been  tried,  but  with  no  good  results.  I  have  nothing 
to  offer.     The  disease  will  soon  pass  to  its  termination. 

HEAVES,  OR  BROKEN-WIND. 

A  violent,  heaving  action  of  the  ribs  and  flanks,  as  the  air 
IS  driven  out  of  the  lungs,  is  generally  known  by  the  name 
of  heaves,  hroTcen-imnd,  or  thick-wind.  It  very  much  resembles 
asthma  in  the  human  patient;  but  that  disease  only  occurs  in 
paroxysms,  or  spells,  whereas  heaves  is  constant,  especially 
when  the  horse  is  exercising. 

Sfjmptoms.—TliQ  peculiar"  violent,  heaving  action  of  the  ribs 
and  flanks,  m  forcing  the  air  from  the  lungs,  is  sufiicient  evi- 
dence  of   the  existence  of  the  disease.     By  observing  the 


IIQ  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

breathino-  of  the  patient,  it  will  be  seen  that  two  efforts  are 
made  to  expel  the  air  from  the  lungs.  There  is,  generally,  a 
sort  of  dry,  husky,  gruntish  cough,  and  both  it  and  the  heav- 
ino-  are  grcatlv  aggravated  if  the  horse  is  exposed  to  any  dust. 
The  belfy,  in  heaves,  becomes  enlarged,  and  the  horse  is  said 
to  be  pot-bellied.  Indigestion,  or  dyspepsia,  is  a  common  ac- 
companiment of  heaves.  The  horse  may  be  a  great  eater, 
and  the  large  quantity  of  food  taken  only  aggravates  the 
trouble.  The  horse  looks  rough  and  stupid,  and  is  generally 
used  up.     He  is  of  but  little  account  for  any  purpose. 

Cmises.— The  more  common  causes  which  produce  heaves 
are  over-exertion  and  indigestion;  and  there  can  be  no  bettei 
way  of  producing  it  than  by  putting  the  horse  to  severe  laboi 
or  exertion  on  a  full  stomach.  The  race-horse  and  the  car- 
riage-horse  are  guarded  against  this  accident  by  not  being  re- 
quired to  perform  while  the  stomach  is  full  or  distended.  It 
may  result  from  some  other  diseases.  A  running  together  or 
rupturing  of  the  iiir-cells  of  the  lungs  gives  rise  to  this  sort 
of  breathing.  A.  mere  enlargement  of  the  air-cells,  or  a  puffy 
condition  of  the  substance  of  the  lungs,  will  cause  it. 

Treatnmit.—Tlisii  treatment  of  the  horse  which  will  prevent 
the  occurrence  of  this  disease  is  of  more  importance  to  be 
attended  to  than  the  administration  of  drugs,  with  a  hope  of 
curing  it,  after  it  has  taken  place:  regular  and  moderate 
feeding,  and  moderate  exercise  when  the  stomach  is  full;  and, 
when  the  labor  is  necessarily  severe,  let  the  food  be  of  that 
kind  that  is  nutritious,  but  not  bulky.  The  horse  should  not  be 
allowed  to  swell  the  stomach  with  water,  after  feeding— a  habit 
too  prevalent  in  this  country.  Free  room  for  action  is  neces- 
sary to  the  health  of  the  lungs,  when  the  horse  is  at  service, 
and  this  they  can  not  have,  if  pressed  by  a  gorged  stomach. 

Of  course,  many  remedies  have  been  recommended  for 
heaves,  and  I  presume  about  the  same  want  of  success  attends 
all  of  them.  The  following  may  be  used  to  relieve  the  horse, 
or  palliate  the  disease : 


-     EOAEING.  117 

Take — Spanisli  brown 2  ounces. 

Tartar  emetic 2  ounces. 

Resin 4  ounces. 

Ginger 2  ounces. 

Mis,  and  give  two  tea-spoonfuls  twice  a  day,  in  the  feed.  At  the  same 
time  use  the  ^'■flax-seed  jelly.'" 

The  next  prescription  is  said  to  cure  heaves : 

Take — Indigo 1  ounce. 

Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

Rain-water 1  gallon. 

Mix,  and  give  one  pint  of  the  liquid  twice  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

The  diet  should  be  small  in  quantity,  and  nutritive.  The 
norse  should  not  be  allowed  to  gorge,  nor  should  he  be  allowed 
to  drink  too  much ;  should  especially  be  kept  from  musty  or 
clover  hay. 

ROARING. 

This  malady  in  the  horse  is  known  by  the  peculiar  roaring, 
whistling,  or  blowing  sound  produced  in  the  breathing.  It  is 
only  observed  when  the  horse  is  exercised.  It  is  the  result  of 
some  change  in  the  air-passages.  This  change  may  be  either  a 
thickening,  hardening,  thinning,  or  contraction  of  the  portion 
of  the  air-passage  affected ;  or  it  may  result  from  the  filling 
up  of  the  tube  by  a  tough,  false  membrane. 

Treatment. — Thorough  blistering,  over  the  part  of  the  air- 
passage  which  seems  to  be  affected,  may  do  good  in  the  early 
stage  of  the  disease,  and,  at  the  same  time,  using  the  follow- 
ing, with  a  view  to  removing  any  false  deposit  in  the  air-pas- 
sages : 

Take — Indigo 1  ounce. 

Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

Rain-water 1  gallon. 

Mix,  and  give  one  pint,  in  the  feed,  twice  a  day. 

But,  in  the  advanced  stages,  it  is  hardly  worth  the  trouble  to 
attempt  treatment,  for  it  is  of  but  doubtful  utility.     It  may  be 


118  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

well  to  remind  the  owner  that  he  may  produce  the  disease  by 
too  tight  reining  up,  especially  in  the  young  horse.  Other  dis- 
eases, as  strangles,  bronchitis,  influenza,  etc.,  that  are  liable  to 
mve  rise  to  it,  should  be  well  cured,  and  thus  avoid  the  danger. 

THUMPS. 

A  violent  beating  or  throbbing  in  the  flanks  of  the  horse  is 
called  thumps.  It  is  palpitation  of  the  heart.  The  attack  is 
generally  the  result  of  overwork,  and  particularly  in  warm 
weather.  Some  horses  can  hardly  be  used  at  all  without  bring- 
ing on  thumps.  Such  a  horse  is  very  unreliable  for  service. 
It  may  depend  upon  mere  nervous  derangement  of  the  heart, 
and  be  very  short  in  its  duration;  or  it  may  result  from  organic 
disease  of  the  heart,  when  the  attack  will  be  easily  provoked, 
and  hang  on  very  obstinately ;  or  the  horse  may  at  no  time  be 
entirely  free  from  it. 

Treatment.— In  a  slight  attack,  occurring  from  over-exertion, 
a  bucket  of  cold  water,  with  a  double-handful  of  salt  dissolved 
in  it,  may  be  given  to  the  patient.  He  should  have  rest,  and 
stand  in  a  cool  place.  If  the  attack  hang  on  obstinately,  give 
the  following  drench : 

Take— Tincture  of  digitalis 1  ounce. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Tincture  of  asafoetida 1  ounce. 

Sulphuric  ether 1  ounce. 

Water..... 1  pi"*- 

Mix.     Repeat  the  above  every  three  hours  until  well. 

Or  the  following  may  be  used : 

Take— Spirits  of  camphor 1  ounce. 

Muriate  of  ammonia 10  grains. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Water 1  pi^^- 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench,  and  repeat  every  three  hours  until  the  pal*:  > .    is 

well. 


SUPPEESSION   AND   RETENTION   OF   THE   URINE.  119 

The  diet  of  a  horse  that  has  had  a  severe  attack  of  thumps 
should  be  light  for  some  time,  and  he  should  be  allowed  rest. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINAEY  OEGANS. 

SUPPRESSION  AND  RETENTION  OP  THE  URINE. 

Suppression  of  the  urine  is  sometimes  called  ^'•stopimge  of 
watery  The  water  may  not  pass  at  all,  or  part  of  it  may 
dribble  av,'ay,  but  not  sufficient  to  give  relief.  There  is  a  dif- 
ference between  supj)ression  and  retention,  important  to  be 
remembered.  In  suppression  of  the  urine,  the  kidneys  do  not 
secrete  any  water,  or  but  very  little ;  in  retention  of  the  urine, 
the  water  is  properly  secreted  by  the  kidneys  and  j^oured  into 
the  bladder,  but  is  not  passed  oif,  or  only  a  part  of  it  dribbled 
away. 

Symptoms. — The  most  marked  symptoms  of  these  troubles 
are  explained  in  the  above  description.  Much  pain,  straddling 
movement,  eiforts  to  pass  water,  and  much  the  same  symp- 
toms that  attend  inflammation  of  the  kidneys  or  bladder,  at- 
tend these  troubles.  They  are,  indeed,  the  attendants  or 
symptoms  of  other  diseases ;  though,  from  the  evil  they  may 
do,  require  medicine  given,  or  means  made  use  of  for  their 
relief. 

To  ascertain  whether  the  case  is  one  of  retention  or  sup- 
pression of  the  urine,  the  hand  must  be  passed  into  the  rec- 
tum or  last  gut,  when  the  bladder  will  be  felt  lying  beneath  it. 
If  the  bladder  is  found  empty,  or  nearly  so,  and  soft,  the  case 
is  one  of  suppression  of  the  urine.  But  if  the  bladder  is  large 
and  hard,  showing  that  it  has  a  great  quantity  of  water  in  it, 
the  case  is  one  of  retention. 

Causes. — Retention  of  the  urine  is  the  result  of  strangury, 


120  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

choking,  or  constriction  of  the  urethra  or  passage  leading 
from  the  bhxdder,  at  any  point,  and  from  whatever  cause.  It 
may  depend  on  palsy  of  the  bladder,  spasm,  or  pressure  on 
the  neck  of  tlie  bladder;  stones  passing  out  from  the  blad- 
der ;  and  is  frequently  present  in  colic,  disease  of  the  kidneys, 
and  diseases  attended  with  stupor.  The  result  of  retention 
would  be,  if  not  relieved,  inflammation  of  the  bladder,  and 
death. 

Suppression  of  the  urine  may  be  caused  by  over-stimulating 
feed  in  hardivork,  the  too  free  use  of  diuretics,  and  inflam- 
mation of  the  kidneys.  It  is  a  disease  which  proves  fatal 
very  soon. 

Treatment. — When  the  urine  is  retained  in  the  bladder,  if 
the  horse  is  laboring  under  colic,  when  that  is  relieved  his 
water  will  generally  become  all  right.  But  in  most  diseases 
causinir  retention  their  cure  can  not  be  waited  for.  If  the  dis- 
ease  causing  the  retention  admits  of  bleeding,  bleed  freely ; 
and  at  the  same  time,  or  a  few  hours  after,  a  physic,  with  re- 
Icixing  medicine,  may  be  given : 

Take — Powdered  aloes 1  ounce. 

P^bwdered  lobelia  leaves 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  quirt. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

After  relaxing  the  system  by  these  means,  the  reaction 
which  follows  may  relieve  the  animal. 

It  may  be  necessary  to  draw  the  water  oif  with  the  instru- 
ment called  a  catheter.  A  gum-elastic  catheter  is  to  be  used, 
and  it  is  to  be  well  oiled.  It  must  be  steadily  and  gently 
passed  up  the  urethra  or  channel  in  the  penis.  If  the  ca- 
theter comes  to  a  place  that  seems  to  be  obstructed,  it  should 
be  gently  i)ressed  against,  until  it  passes  by.  In  most  cases 
the  use  of  the  catheter  will  be  successful.  But  it  may  be 
necessary  to  perform  a  more  difficult  operation.  There  are 
two  operations :  one  to  be  performed  by  cutting  through  the 


SUPPRESSION   AXD    EETENTIOX    OF    THE    URIXE.  121 

skin  and  flesh  into  the  urethra,  a  short  distance  below  the 
fundament.  To  ascertain  the  place  to  cut  through,  a  ca  heter 
is  to  be  introduced,  and  this  can  be  felt  at  the  proper  place  to 
make  the  opening  into  the  urethra.  After  the  opening  is 
made,  a  tube,  slightly  curved,  can  be  passed  into  the  urethra, 
and  on  into  the  bladder.  ' 

The  other  method  is  to  puncture  the  body  of  the  bladder 
itself,  and  thus  draw  off  the  water.  This  is  either  done 
through  the  muscles  of  the  side,  or  the  puncture  is  made 
through  the  rectum  into  the  bladder.  In  either  case,  a  tube 
that  w^ill  completely  fill  the  hole  in  the  bladder  must  be 
passed  in  for  the  water  to  pass  out  through. 

I  can  perform  another  operation,  by  which  the  puncture  is 
made  through  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  and  the  water  drawn 
off;  but  it  is  one  that  should  not  be  undertaken  by  any  but  a 
thorough  anatomist.  It  is  very  successful  when  properly  per- 
formed. 

For  suppression  of  the  urine,  the  particular  disease  which 
caused  the  kidneys  to  quit  manufacturing  water  should  be 
promptly  treated.  But  as  its  cure  can  not  be  waited  for,  the 
kidneys  must  be  aroused  to  action,  or  the  system  will  very 
soon  be  poisoned  to  death  with  the  urea  which  is  left  in  the 
blood.     In  the  first  place: 

Take — Powdered   aloes 1  ounce. 

Cream  of  tartar 4  drams. 

Water 1  quart. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

In  about  six  hours  after  the  above  is  given,  commence  with 
the  following : 

Take — Tincture  of  digitalis .1  ounce. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 1  ounce. 

Saltpeter 2  drams. 

Water , 1  quart. 

Mix,  and  give  at  one  drench. 


122  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOKSE. 

The  same  to  be  repeated,  leaving  out  the  digitalis,  every 
six  hours.  It  should  be  tried  for  two  or  three  days.  The 
horse  should  have  flax-seed  tea  to  drink  often.  If  the  above 
fail,  other  diuretics  may  be  tried. 

PROFUSE   STALING. 

A  frequent  flow  of  water,  of  a  natural  appearance,  but  very 
large  quantity,  is  called  diahetes  inclpkJus,  and  is  included,  by 
horsemen,  under  the  term  of  profuse  staling. 

But  there  are  many  things  which  may  affect  the  horse, 
causing  him  to  pass  a  great  quantity  of  water  in  a  short  time. 
Anger,  excitement,  fear,  and  the  like  passions,  will  have  this 
effect.  The  drinking  of  large  quantities  of  water,  sudden 
chano-e  from  hot  to  cold  air,  will  cause  a  great  flow  of  urine. 

Treatment. — An  author  has  properly  remarked  that  "it  is 
the  duty  of  every  physician  to  know  when  to  do  nothing." 
This  duty  is  about  all  that  need  be  practiced  in  profuse  staling. 
The  following  treatment  may  be  given,  if  thought  necessary: 

Take — Carbonate  of  ammonia 60  grains. 

Tincture  of  opium 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  the  above  dose  in  a  bucket  of  water,  three  times  a  day.  To 
be  used  for  several  days,  or  until  the  evil  is  remedied. 

Or  the  next  prescription  may  be  used : 

Take— Salts  of  tartar 1  ounce. 

Sugar  of  lead 100  grains. 

Mix,  and  give  in  eight  equal  doses,  four  hours  apart.  Correct  the  food  or 
feeding  of  the  animal. 

THICK  WATER. 

There  is  only  one  form  of  disease  which  causes  the  urine  to 
become  of  a  thick,  albuminous  character,  such  as  we  propose 
considering  in  this  article.  It  is  of  rare  occurrence  in  the 
horse,  though  quite  common  in  man.  It  is  called  Bright's  dis- 
ease, or  albuminous  urine.     Its  existence  may  be  known  by 


BLOODY   URINE.  123 

the  thick  character  of  the  water,  and  the  peculiar  gait  of  the 
horse. 

Eiit  I  wish  it  borne  in  mind  that  there  are  many  things 
which  cause  the  horse's  urine  to  become  of  a  thick  character, 
and  much  changed  in  appearance.  A  little  over-feeding,  the 
use  of  improj^er  food,  bad  digestion,  slight  cold,  and  many 
other  trifling  circumstances,  may  cause  the  water  to  become 
thick  and  ropy,  but  with  no  appearance  of  ill  health.  There 
can  be  no  practice  more  evil  than  that  of  giving  medicines  to 
correct  the  water,  when  the  horse  is  not  laboring  under  any 
clearly-marked  disease. 

If  it  is  clear  that  a  horse  is  laboring  under  genuine  tliich 
water,  or  Bright's  disease,  nothing  better  can  be  done  than  to 
turn  him  on  grass.  In  winter,  roots  may  be  given,  with  slip- 
pery-elm water  and  flax-seed  tea,  in  place  of  green  food.  But 
avoid  dosing  your  horses  with  medicines,  to  correct  the  water, 
only  in  cases  where  there  is  unmistakable  disease.  Thick  or 
TO'py  water  is  no  evidence  of  disease,  of  itself 

BLOODY  URINE. 

This  disease  is  so  named  from  the  fact  that  there  is  blood 
actually  passed  with  the  urine.  The  blood  comes  from  some 
portion  of  the  urinary  organs,  but  it  is  dif&cult  to  tell  from 
just  what  part.  There  is  generally  pain  in  passing  the  bloody 
water,  as  shown  by  the  uneasy  motions  of  the  horse.  This 
difficulty  may  result  from  strains,  blows  or  falls,  or  the  pas- 
sage of  stones. 

An  appearance  of  blood  in  the  urine  may  be  ]3resent  in  some 
other  diseases  of  the  urinary  organs ;  but  if  pure  blood  is  act- 
ually being  passed,  it  will  form  a  clot,  if  a  portion  of  the  water 
passed  is  caught,  and  let  get  cold.  Some  diseases  of  the  liver, 
and  diseases  of  a  putrid  character,  may  cause  or  give  rise  to 
urine  of  a  bloody  appearance. 

Treatment. — If  there  is  much  pain,  give  the  horse  one  ounce 
tincture  of  opium,  in  one  pint  of  warm  water,  as  a  drench. 


124  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

To  stop  the  blood,  give  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron,  half  an 
ounce,  every  six  hours,  in  one  pint  of  cold  water.  Alum,  one- 
fourth  of  an  ounce,  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  water,  or  one  ounce 
of  spirits  of  niter,  every  four  or  six  hours,  will  have  the  same 
effect.     Keep  warm  while  using  the  above. 

URETHRAL   GLEET. 

The  inside  or  mucous  lining  of  the  urethra,  or  channel 
through  which  the  water  passes  out,  secretes  a  fluid,  in  health, 
just  sufficient  to  keep  its  surface  moist.  This  fluid  is  of  a  clear, 
whitish  color.  It  may  be  formed  in  too  great  quantity,  and 
then  it  runs  from  the  mouth  of  the  urethra  as  a  ropy,  white  dis- 
charge. There  is  no  pain  attending  this  discharge,  nor  when 
the  horse  passes  his  water.  Over-exercise  of  the  generative 
organs  of  stallions  may  cause  it. 

Treatment — Wash  the  penis  two  or  three  times  a  day  with 
cold  water.  Keep  the  horse  quiet;  and,  if  a  stallion,  keep  him 
from  mares.  The  diet  should  be  light — scalded  shorts,  with 
little  oats  and  hay.     Internally  use  the  following : 

Take — Balsam  copaiba 4  ounces. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 4  ounces. 

Tincture  muriate  of  iron 2  ounces. 

Mucilage  of  gum-arabic 1  pint.     ^ 

Mix,  and  give  four  table-spoonfuls,  tliroe  times  a  day,  in  water,  as  a  drench. 

A  discharge  of  similar  appearance  from  the  vagina  of  the 
mare  will  yield  to  the  same  treatment :  the  water  being  thrown 
up  the  vagina  with  a  syringe.  Such  affection  is  called,  in 
marcs,  leucorrhea;  that  we  have  just  considered,  in  the  horse, 
hlenorrliea. 

FOUL  SHEATH. 

The  natural,  oily  secretion  around  the  horse's  penis,  and  the 
mucus  secreted  by  the  inside  of  the  sheath,  sometimes  become 
dried  and  hardened,  forming  scales  of  an  irritating  character. 


FALLING   OF    THE    YARD.  125 

There  is  a  very  offensive  smell  attending  this  condition,  and 
the  horse  generally  has  some  difficulty  in  making  water,  which 
is  owing  to  what  is  called  "the  bean."  This  is  a  hardened 
lump  situated  at  the  point  of  the  penis,  or  mouth  of  the  urethra. 
Treatment. — Draw  out  the  penis,  or  yard,  and  wash  it  clean 
wdth  soaj)  and  water,  and  then  grease  it.  Be  sure  to  remove 
"the  bean." 

FALLING  OF  THE  YARD. 

This  affection  is  the  result  of  an  inflammation  of  the  prepuce. 
l^h.e prepuce  is  th*at  dark  skin  which  is  seen  w^hen  the  horse's  yard 
is  drawn,  to  cover  that  part  of  the  organ  next  the  belly,  for  from 
five  to  eight  inches,  and  which  part  is  much  thicker  than  that 
part  which  is  uncovered  toward  the  point.  In  the  unexcited 
condition  of  the  penis  it  is  drawn  back,  or  shrinks  back,  into 
the  prepuce. 

Now,  if  the  prej^uce  becomes  inflamed,  it  becomes  drawn 
tight  around  the  penis,  or  yard,  and  prevents  it  from  receding 
back  properly;  hence  the  yard  is  held  partly  out.  If  the  in- 
flammatioji  is  very  high,  the  prepuce  becomes  very  much  swoll- 
en, and  often  becomes  permanently  thickened  and  enlarged. 
In  this  case  the  penis  is  strangled,  or  choked,  by  the  prepuce; 
and  the  part  of  it  which  protrudes,  or  sticks  out,  becomes  en- 
larged, or  swollen,  constituting  what  is  commonly  termed  fall- 
ing of  the  yard.  A  loss  of  muscular  power  in  the  penis  may 
allow  the  organ  to  hang  loosely  out.  This  is  called  falling  of 
the  yard,  also,  but  is  attended  with  no  swelling  or  inflammation 
about  the  prepuce. 

Treatment. — The  horse  should  be  kept  perfectly  quiet;  and  if 
the  disease  is  recent,  and  there  is  much  inflammation,  give  a 
good  physic: 

Take — Powdered  aloes 1  ounce. 

Podophyllin 20  grains. 

Cream  of  tartar 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  give  in  a  pint  of  warm  water,  as  a  drench. 


126  NAVIN   ON   THE    HORSE. 

Cloths,  wet  in  cold  water,  are  to  be  bound  to  the  part  by  a 
broad  bandage  around  the  flanks,  to  which  are  to  be  fastened 
two  other  strips  of  cloth  under  the  belly,  and  one  of  these  to 
be  brought  up  between  the  thighs,  and  over  the  hip,  to  be  fas- 
tened to  the  other  bandage  around  the  body  on  the  back.  The 
other  is  to  be  similarly  applied.  The  cloths  must  be  wet  often 
with  cold  water  and  tincture  of  arnica. 

If  this  does  not  reduce  the  inflammation,  or,  if  the  case  is 
one  of  long  standing,  an  operation  must  be  performed.  The 
prepuce  is  to  be  split,  so  as  to  relieve  the  strangled  condition 
of  the  penis.  The  incision,  or  cut,  should  be  made  along  the 
upper  or  forward  side  of  the  prepuce,  and  up  as  high  as  the 
constricted  ring  of  prepuce  extends.  This  ring  should  be  en- 
tirely divided,  which  is  choking  or  strangling  the  penis.  If 
any  artery  is  cut,  apply  lint  and  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron  to 
it,  if  it  is  small;  but,  if  large,  tie  it.  After  the  operation, 
apply  cold  water,  dressing  as  above  described. 

The  other  form  of  falling  of  the  penis,  depending  on  want  of 
muscular  power,  admits  of  no  relief,  except  amputation  of  the 
penis. 


NEEVOUS  DISEASES. 

MEGRIMS,  Oil  VERTIGO. 


This  is  an  aflfection  of  the  brain,  occurring,  generally,  in 
horses  that  are  well  fed  and  in  good  condition,  and  more  fre- 
quently when  doing  fast  work. 

Symjjtoms. — The  horse  may  be  performing  his  work  with  or- 
dinary ease,  manifesting  no  signs  of  ailment ;  commence  jerk- 
ing 'his  head,  or  bobbing  it  up  and  down,  and  then,  suddenly, 
or  after  a  few  clumsy  steps,  stops  short,  showing  evident  signs 
of  dizziness,  and  in  a  few  minutes  resumes  his  work.     The 


MEGRIMS,    OR   VERTIGO.  127 

attack  is  not  always  this  mild,  however.  He  may  fall  as  sud- 
denly as  if  shot,  or  rapidly  and  senselessly  run  around  a  few 
times,  and  then  fall.  He  may  either  lie  quite  insensible,  or 
struggle  with  great  violence.  In  a  short  time  (perhaps  five  to 
ten  minutes)  he  will  begin  to  recover,  and  will  soon  get  up,  and 
proceed  to  his  work,  but  not  without  some  appearance  of  heavi- 
ness and  fatigue.  He  may  never  recover  from  the  attack,  and 
die  on  the  spot.  A  horse  that  has  had  an  attack  will  be  very 
liable  to  the  difficulty  again.  It  is  a  disease  not  only  dangerous 
to  the  horse,  but  also  to  the  driver  or  rider.  Prudence  would 
dictate  that  a  horse  that  has  had  an  attack  should  not  be  used 
under  the  saddle,  or  to  the  carriage  or  buggy. 

Causes. — Any  thing  that  will  interfere  with  the  free  return, 
through  the  veins  of  the  neck,  of  the  blood  sent  to  the  head 
by  the  arteries,  may  occasion  megrims.  It  is  caused,  to  speak 
in  common  language,  by  "a  rush  of  blood  to  the  head."  The 
arteries  send  more  blood  to  the  head  than  the  veins  can  carry 
away.  Violent  exercise,  when  the  weather  is  hot,  causes  the 
blood  to  be  sent  to  the  head  with  too  great  force.  A  collar  too 
small,  the  throat-latch  too  tight,  or  the  curb-rein  too  tightly 
drawn,  will  obstruct  the  return  of  the  blood  from  the  head,  and 
thus  cause  it  to  be,  as  it  were,  partially  dammed  up  in  the  blood- 
vessels of  the  brain,  thus  causing  pressure  on  the  brain;  and 
which,  either  partially  or  wholly,  prevents  it  from  acting  on  the 
system  to  supply  that  nervous  force  which  is  the  cause  of  all 
action  of  every  kind. 

Treatment. — Immediately  when  the  attack  occurs,  three  or 
four  quarts  of  blood  should  be  taken  from  the  neck- vein,  if  any 
one  is  handy  who  can  bleed.  But,  if  not,  any  person  can  bleed 
the  horse  in  the  mouth  by  cutting  the  bars  of  the  palate  with  a 
knife.  For  performing  this  operation,  see  the  article  headed 
''Bleeding.''  After  the  attack  is  over,  he  should  be  gently  used 
and  slowly  driven,  until  he  reaches  home;  and  then  a  good 
physic  given,  and  the  horse  put  on  soft  feed,  or  turned  on  grass. 
He  should  not  be  worked  until  the  over-distended  blood-vessels 


128  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

have  regained  their  usual  tone  or  strength,  or  apoplexy  may 
be  the  result. 

APOPLEXY. 

Apoplexy  is  a  very  fatal  disease,  and,  like  megrims,  is  gen- 
erally met  with  in  horses  of  a  full  habit ;  that  is,  such  as  are 
disposed  to  become  too  fat,  with  a  very  great  amount  of  blood. 
It  consists  in  a  powerful  flow  of  blood  to  the  head,  causing 
great  pressure  on  the  brain,  often  rupturing  blood-vessels 
within  the  cavity  of  the  head  or  skull,  and,  of  course,  causing 
the  horse  to  fall. 

Symptoms. — Very  little  warning  is  sometimes  given,  the  ani- 
mal dropping  as  suddenly  as  if  a  ball  had  passed  through  the 
heart,  and  he  is  quite  dead.  It  may  attack  him  in  the  stable, 
in  the  field,  or  at  work.  Commonly  some  warning  of  an  ap- 
proaching attack  of  apoplexy  is  given.  The  horse  will  hold 
his  head  down  nearly  to  the  ground,  as  if  deaf  or  blind ;  twitch- 
ing, or  checking  back,  as  if  something  were  before  him ;  and, 
when  he  goes  to  move,  his  gait  will  be  swaggering,  like  a 
drunken  man.  He  may  continue  in  this  condition  for  several 
hours,  but  the  symptoms  of  engorgement  of  the  brain  become 
more  severe  until  he  falls.  The  pupils  of  the  eyes  become 
more  dilated;  the  eyes  staring  and  vacant;  the  teeth  grind 
together,  sometimes  crushing  the  tongue;  the  veins  of  the  neck 
full,  and  the  pulse  slow  and  full ;  the  breathing  oppressed,  or 
snoring ;  twitching  of  the  muscles ;  strong  convulsions  finally 
set  in,  and  the  animal  dies,  in  a  state  of  what  is  called  asphyxia, 
which  is  a  want  of  aeration  in  the  blood,  causing  it  to  become 
loaded  with  carbonic  acid. 

Causes. — The  immediate  cause  of  apoplexy — that  which,  at 
the  moment,  produces  the  attack,  is  pressure  on  the  brain, 
produced  by  the  congestion  of  its  blood-vessels,  or  the  watery 
portion  of  the  blood  (the  serum)  escaping  through  the  coats  of 
the  veins,  or  their  small  terminations,  (the  capillaries),  and 
forming  collections  of  watery  fluid  about  the  brain ;  or  by  the 


APOPLEXY.  129 

rupturing  of  blood-vessels,  causing  the  blood  to  escape  into  the 
cavities  of  the  brain;  or  by  tumors  within  the  skull  pressing 
on  the  brain. 

The^  causes  which  predispose  to  the  disease  are,  any  thing 
that  will  have  a  tendency  to  weaken  the  blood-vessels  of  the 
brain,  or  occasion  too  great  a  flow  of  blood  to  that  organ,  or 
prevent  its  free  return  from  it;  too  high  feeding  without  proper 
exercise;  feeding  too  stimulating  food,  as  corn,  in  hot  weather; 
improper  gearing,  as  too  tight  a  collar;  and  keeping  the  head 
reined  too  hio-h. 

Apoplexy  may  be  distinguished  from  megrims,  by  the  attack 
of  the  latter  usually  coming  on  suddenly,  and  the  horse  getting 
up  in  a  few  minutes,  comparatively  well.  In  those  cases  in 
which  both  diseases  prove  immediately  fatal  it  might  be  diffi- 
cult to  tell  which  disease  had  done  the  work;  and,  indeed,  I 
think  the  distinction,  in  such  cases,  is  almost,  if  not  quite,  with- 
out  a  diflference.  A  careful  attention  to  the  symptoms  of  the 
case,  and  the  previous  feeding,  working,  etc.,  of  the  animal, 
will  enable  any  one  to  distinguish  between  apoplexy  and  either 
mad  staggers  or  stomach  staggers. 

Treatment—This  ^Yi\l  be  divided  into  two  parts:  First,  the- 
treatment  during  the  attack ;  and,  second,  after  it  is  over,  to- 
prevent  a  return.  As  soon  as  the  attack  is  observed,  a  large- 
quantity  of  blood  should  be  drawn  from  the  neck-veins.  Botk 
veins  should  be  opened;  the  orifice,  or  opening,  should  be  made^ 
large,  so  that  the  blood  may  flow  rapidly,  and  as  high  up  on. 
the  vein  as  possible.  From  six  to  eight  quarts  of  blood  should 
be  taken,  or  continued  till  he  almost  drops  down  or  faints. 
As  soon  as  it  can  be  got  down,  a  thorough  i%sic  should  be- 
given.     The  following  will  answer  the  purpose: 

Take — Barbadoes  aloes 1  ounce. 

Castile  soap,  scraped 1  ounce. 

Ginger,  pulverized 2  drams, 

pint. 


Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench 

9 


Warm  water 1 


J3Q  NAVIN  ON  THE   HOKSE. 

Assist  the  operation  of  tlie  pliysic  by  giving  tlie  following 
injection : 

Take— Thick  soapsuds ^  S^  on. 

Common  salt -^  ^ 

Mix.     Throw  it  up  the  bowels  with  considerable  force. 

I  give  another  formula  for  a  cathartic,  that  may  be  used  in 
place  of  the  above : 

Take— Croton  oil "      ^°?^' 

Crude  mercury ^  S^ams. 

,„  ,  1  pint. 

Warm  water ^ 

Mis,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

When  no  one  can  be  found  soon  who  can  bleed  in  the  neck, 
the  following  course  should  be  pursued:  Let  a  person  station 
-himself  as  high  above  the  horse's  head  as  possible,  and  pour  a 
stream  of  cold  water  on  the  head,  until  signs  of  recovery  are 
.observed;    and,  after  this,  continue  the  pourmg  m  .^.llo. 
stream  or  stopping  for  short  intervals,  just  so  as  to  keep  the 
^^Ti^^cZ.   \he  physic  and  injection  must  be  given  as 
soon  a   possible,  and  the  horse  bled  as  soon  as  it  can  be  done 
The  application  of  a  stream  of  water,  even  when  the  horse  has 
^  en  immediately  bled,  will  be  of  benefit.     Bivt  .d.atever  is 
done  many  cases  will  be  fatal,  as  the  blood-vessels  of  the  bram 
are  often  broken  in  the  early  part  of  the  attack. 

If  saved  from  the  first  attack,  the  horse  should  be  moder- 
^tely  fed,  and  his  system  kept  from  becoming  too  full,  by  an 
1^;^  bleeding'and  physicking ;  should  not  for  ^ 
months,  be  put  to  work  again;  and  should  never  have  a  tight- 
"bearing  rein  on  him. 


EPILEPSY,  OR  FITS. 

This  is  a  convulsive  disease  which  occasionally  happens  the 
3rsc      It  resembles  the  common  fits  of  the  human  family. 
^„ta..-The    animal    stops,    trembles,    looks    vacantly 


HYSTERICS.  131 

around  him,  and  staggers  and  falls,  or  falls  suddenly.  The 
convulsions  which  follow  are  sometimes  slight,  but  at  other 
times  they  are  terrible.  The  head  and  forward  part  of  the 
horse  are  very  strangely  turned  and  twisted  in  the  attack.  The 
convulsions  pass  off  in  a  few  minutes,  and  the  horse  gets  up, 
looks  foolishly  around,  passes  water,  and  eats  and  drinks  as  if 
nothing  out  of  the  way  had  happened. 

It  is  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  discover  the  cause  of 
epilepsy,  and,  without  this  knowledge,  no  attempt  need  be  made 
to  cure  the  patient.  There  is  but  little  if  any  hope  of  effect- 
ing a  cure.  A  horse  subject  to  fits  is  almost  entirely  useless, 
as  he  is  unfit  to  ride  or  drive,  from  the  danger  to  which  one 
w^ould  be  exposed  in  using  him. 

HYSTERICS. 

This  is  a  nervous  affection  of  mares,  and  occurs  most  fre- 
quently in  those  that  have  not  been  with  foal,  and  such  as  have 
had  colts  and  been  denied  the  services  of  a  stallion.  It  occurs 
at  about  the  time  the  mare  is  in  season.  It  very  closely  re- 
sembles the  same  disease  in  women. 

Sf/m2)toms.—J)imng  the  period  of  heat,  or  shortly  after,  the 
mare  is  seized  with  a  paroxysm  or  fit ;  she  falls  to  the  ground 
in  the  greatest  excitement;  her  limbs  are  stretched  out  stiff  and 
rigid;    the  muscles  of  the  entire  body  tremble  rapidly;    the 
flanks  sweat;  the  breathing  is  rapid,  but  not  snoring,  as  in 
apoplexy;  the  hind  limbs  are  paralyzed,  and  the  pulse  is  rapid. 
After  lying  in  this  condition  for  a  few  minutes,  the  symptoms 
abate,  and  the  mare  becomes  more  quiet.     After  awhile  the 
muscles  regain  their  power,  and  she  gets  up,  but  not  with- 
out some  trouble.     After  rising,  she  seems  much  better,  but 
very  excitable,  and  seems  to  want  to  get  out  of  the  lot  she  is 
m.     The  least  noise  sets  her  in  the  wildest  excitement.     She 
may  contin;ie  up  for  some  time,  and  then  take  another  fit;  or 
the  paroxysms  may  come  on  very  rapidl}^,  soon  causing  disease 
of  the  brain  and  death. 


•1Q2  NAVIN  ON  THE   HOESE. 

Hysterics,  properly  called  hysteria,  may  be  mistaken  for  in- 
flammation of  the  womb.  Inflammation  of  the  womb  occurs  a 
few  davs  after  foaling,  or  after  abortion.  It  '^  at  ended  with 
svniptoms  of  high  fever,  with  no  abatement,  ^o  "/«  occurs 
in  inflammation  of  the  womb.  On  opening  the  bearing  the 
parts  will  be  seen  red  and  swollen  in  inflammation  of  the 
womb.  There  is  no  twitching  of  the  muscles  about  tho  anus  or 
fundament,  which  occurs  in  hysterics.        _ 

e«„5,s -Derangement  of  the  reproductive  or  genital  organs 
of  the  mare  is  regarded  as  the  cause  of  those  violent  nervous 
symptoms  which  constitute  hysterics.  I  can  not  doubt  but  it 
renuires  a  combination  of  causes  to  produce  an  attack  of  hys- 
terics Indigestion,  over-stimulating  food,  want  of  proper  ex- 
ercise and  pure  air,  the  teasing  of  a  gelding,  being  denied  the 
services  of  the  stallion,  the  temperament  of  the  mare  are  cir- 
cumstances  and  conditions  which  may  cause  an  attack  ot 

Treatment-li  the  mare  is  in  heat,  or  season,  I  should  cer- 
tainly allow  her  the  services  of  a  horse.     She  could  not  have  a 

better  antispasmodic.  .   .    ,.        ^        •  +  ^/ 

When  the  mare  is  down  with  a  fit,  an  injection  of _  a  pint  of 
warm  water,  a  handful  of  salt,  and  two  ounces  of  tincture  of 
asafo^tida  maybe  given;  the  legs,  at  the  same  time  rubbed 
bSdy.  After  she  gets  up,  she  should  be  removed  to  a  per 
fectly  quiet  place,  and  the  following  given: 

Take— Tincture  of  asafoctida 1  o""C<^- 

Tincture  of  castor 1  <^^^"*^'^- 

„.  c       i;^  2  ounces. 

Sirup  of  garlic 

Thin  gruel •/  *  *     ^^^  '   .,  , 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.     To  be  repeated  every  six  hours  until  cured. 

Let  the  mare  be  turned  on  grass  for  awhile,  or  allow  he; 
moderate  diet-bran  mashes  and  hay,  with  little  oats. 


LOCKED- JAW,  OR   TETAXUS,  133 


LOCKED-JAW,  Oil  TETANUS 


Tetanus  is  a  nervous  affection,  characterized  by  a  more  or 
less  permanent  contraction,  spasm,  or  cramping  of  the  volun- 
tary muscles ;  most  particularly  observable  in  those  of  the  jaws 
and  neck.  It  has  received  the  name  of  locJced-jaiv,  from  the 
fact  that  the  muscles  of  the  jaw  are  the  first  to  become  power- 
fully affected,  presenting  one  of  the  most  alarming  features  of 
the  disease — inability  to  chew  or  swallow. 

Sf/mjjtoms. — Tetanus  may  come  on  quite  suddenly,  but  more 
frequently  it  is  slow  and  insidious  in  its  approach.     The  horse 
may  appear  rather  unwell  for  a  day  or  two ;  does  not  feed  as 
he  should,   only  partially  chewing  his  food,  and  manifesting 
considerable  difficulty  in  swallowing ;  and  gulj^s  his  water,  and 
appears  agitated.     There  may  also  be  symptoms  of  stiffness  of 
the  muscles  of  the  neck,  and  of  the  head  and  face,  and  even  the 
eyes  may  begin  to  show  an  unnatural  expression  of  squinting  or 
drawing  back.     Any  of  these  symptoms  being  observed  an  ex- 
amination should  be  made,  for  the  success  of  treatment  depends 
much  on  the  stage  of  the  disease  at  which  it  is  commenced. 
The  ccirlier  the  better.     If  the  case  is  one  of  tetanus,  the 
jaws  will  be  found  stiff,  and  only  admitting  of  being  opened  a 
little  way;  or,  perhaps,  firmly  closed;  the  muscles  at  the  side 
of  the  jaw  being  rigidly  contracted,  presenting  perfectly  hard 
lumps  or  ridges.     Very  soon  the  muscles  of  the  neck  will  be- 
come  quite  stiff,  so  that  the  head  can  not  be  turned  without 
considerable  difficulty;  the  ears  become  stiff  and  fixed;  the  eyes 
are  drawn  far  back,  squinting  outward,  and  the  brow  drawn 
far  over  the  eye;  the  lips  and  nostrils  become  contracted;  the 
head  is  extended  forward;  the  fore-feet  are  set  forward  and 
wide  apart;  the  abdomen  or  belly  is  tucked  up;  the  back  and 
loins  stiff;  if  the  tail  is  not  too  heavy,  it  is  raised  and  trem- 
bling; the  hind  legs  are  rigid  and  straddling;  the  whole  body 
becomes  stiff  and  immovable;   the   breathing  laborious,  and 
still  more  so  as  the  disease  progresses;  the  pulse  is  not  always 


134  I^AVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

affected  at  first,  but  becomes  quick,  small,  and  irregular;  the 
expression  is  indicative  of  the  most  excruciating  pain  and 
agony.  Sensibility  and  perception  do  not  appear  to  be  de- 
s°royed,or  much  impaired,  for,  when  he  is  as  immovably  fixed 
as  a  statue,  his  pulse  quickens  at  the  approach  of  any  thing  that 
would  excite  fear.  These  symptoms  may  continue  for  a  week 
or  ten  days;  until  the  powers  of  life  give  way  under  the  con- 
tinued exhaustion  of  hunger  and  pain ;  and  not  until  in  the 
very  embrace  of  death  does  any  relaxation  of  the  universal 
spasm  take  place,  and  the  poor  sufi'erer  yields  the  victory  to 
the  grim  conqueror  only  after  having  reached  the  extreme  of 
vital  endurance. 

Causes.— It  is  well   known    that   all    muscular   movement 
is   produced  by  a   stimulus   imparted  by  the  nerves   called 
nerves  of  motion.     This  stimulus  is  supposed  to  originate  in 
the  brain,  and  is  sent  from  it  along  the  nerves  to  the  muscles 
which  it  is  intended  to  excite  to  action  or  cause  to  contract. 
This  stimulus  is  sent  to  all  muscles  by  an  effort  of  the  will ; 
except  certain  muscles  which  act  independent  of  the  will,  as 
those  of  the  heart,  lungs,  etc.     IS'ow,  if  the  nerves  are  so  dis- 
eased that  the  animal  loses  control  of  this  stimulus,  and  it  con- 
tinues to  flow  without  restraint  to  the  muscles,  a  continued  and 
powerful  contraction  of  the  muscles  will  be  the  result.     And 
this  seems  to  be  the  case  in  tetanus.     All  the  muscles  of  the 
system,  however,  do  not  become  tetanic  at  once.     The  anmial 
loses  control  of  them  as  the  nerves  leading  to  them  become  in- 
volved in  the  unhealthy  state,  whatever  it  may  be.     Tetanus 
is  just  the  opposite  of  palsy  or  paralysis,  which  is  an  entire 
cutting  off  of   nervous   stimulus,    depriving   the   muscles   of 
motion  of  power  to  contract.     This  is,  we  think,  the  immedi- 
ate cause  of  the  contraction  of  the  muscles.     But  the  question 
arises,  "Whence  comes  this  nervous  derangement?"     Does  it 
take  place  as  an  original  disease,  or  is  it  symptomatic  ?     These 
are  questions  which  have  puzzled  the  deepest  investigators,  and 
about  which  there  have  been  various  opinions  entertained. 


LOCKED-JAAV,  OR    TETAXUS.  135 

It  is  universally  acknowledged  that  injuries,  as  cuts,  punc- 
tures, surgical  operations,  whether  properly  or  improperly  per- 
formed, the  driving  of  nails  into  the  sensitive  parts  of  the  foot 
in  shoeing,  etc.,  may  be  followed  by  tetanus.  Nor  does  the  ex- 
tent of  the  injury  appear  to  make  much  difference,  the  slight- 
est puncture  often  being  followed  by  it.  JN'either  does  the  de- 
gree nor  extent  of  inflammation  seem  to  have  much  to  do  in 
the  case.  The  attack  may  come  on  soon  after  the  injury,  or 
not  until  it  has  quite  healed,  and  perhaps  not  for  some  time 
after. 

But  I  think  it  equally  true  that  tetanus  often  occurs  without 
any  local  injury — exposure  to  cold,  as  standing  in  the  rain, 
hitched  to  a  horse-rack,  after  brisk  exercise;  being  w^orked 
until  very  hot  and  sweating,  and  suffered  to  stand  in  the  wind 
and  become  chilled.     Fatigue  and  hunger  may  give  rise  to  it. 

Some  writers  think  that  a  derangement  of  the  digestive 
organs  is  always  present,  to  produce  such  a  degree  of  nervous 
irritability  as  would  cause  tetanus  to  arise  from  such  trivial 
injuries  as  often  seem  to  cause  it.  I  am  certainly  of  opinion 
that  there  must  be  some  derangement  of  the  system,  or  of  some 
part  of  it,  to  make  the  very  same  injury  produce  tetanus  in 
one  case,  which,  in  a  hundred  other  cases,  under  apparently  en- 
tirely similar  circumstances,  w^ould  cause  no  inconvenience. 
And  this,  I  think,  will  be  found  located  in  the  spinal  cord,  the 
great  nerve  from  which  all  the  voluntary  nerves  are  given  off. 
This  nerve  is  supplied  with  its  investing  membrane  and  blood- 
vessels, and  hence  is  liable  to  irritation  and  inflammation,  just 
as  the  brain,  from  which  it  springs,  is.  Now,  if  a  degree  of 
irritation  exists  in  this  cord,  it  is,  necessarily,  in  a  high  state 
of  excitability,  and  a  very  sliglit  disturbance  of  one  of  its 
smallest  branches  would  be  reflected  to  it,  and  produce  a  most 
powerful  effect  upon  it.  This  I  conceive  to  be  the  true  cause 
of  tetanus:  an  irritation  of  the  spinal  cord,  greatly  exalting 
its  sensibility,  so  much  so,  that,  from  even  the  slightest  disturb- 
ance, its  action  may  rise  entirely  above  the  control  of  the  brain. 


136  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

Treatment. — The  object  of  the  treatment  is  to  relieve  the 
spasm  and  prevent  its  return.  In  the  first  place,  bleed  from 
ten  to  twelve  quarts ;  then  apply  a  handkerchief  to  the  nose, 
wet  with  chloroibrm,  until  the  jaws  relax ;  then  have  ready,  and 
give  the  following: 

Take — Laudanum 2  ounces. 

Tincture  of  asafcetida 2  ounces. 

Chloroform 2  ounces. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.  This  is  to  be  repeated  every  four  hours,  until 
the  horse  seems  well. 

After  this,  use  the  following : 

Take — Powdered  asafcetida 2  ounces. 

Cream  of  tartar 3  ounces. 

Capsicum 1  ounce. 

Carbonate  of  iron 3  ounces. 

Mix,  and  divide  into  twelve  parts,  and  give  one  every  night,  in  thin  gruel,  as 
a  drench. 

Let  the  horse  have  plenty  of  salt.  From  the  first,  the  horse 
should  be  well  blanketed,  and  the  legs  rubbed  with  alcohol  and 
Cayenne  pejiper.  The  spine  should  also  be  rubbed  with  the 
same,  A  poultice  of  lobelia  herb,  boiled  with  bran,  should  be 
bound  on  so  as  to  cover  the  under-jaw  and  come  well  up  on 
the  sides  of  the  cheeks.  It  may  be  kept  moist  by  occasionally 
pouring  a  little  warm  water  on  it.  The  diet  of  the  horse 
should  be  light  and  easily  digested.  He  should  be  kepi  quiet, 
and  in  a  comfortable  stable.* 

Locked-jaw  often  results  from  wounds.  In  such  cases,  the- 
wound  should  be  carefully  examined,  and  any  splinter,  shivers 
of  bone,  or  any  thing  of  the  kind,  removed. 

Put  a  mustard  poultice  all  along  his  spine,  (back). 

PALSY. 

This  is  the  complete  or  partial  loss  of  power  in  the  muscles 
of  some  part  of  the  body.     There  are  three  varieties  met  with ; 


PALSY.  137 

the  fii'st  affects  the  muscles  of  one  side  of  the  body ;  the  second 
affects  those  of  the  hind  extremities;  the  third  affects  the 
muscles  of  the  face — generally  only  one  side.  Also,  certain 
internal  organs  become  paralyzed  for  a  short  time,  as  the  blad- 
der, rectum,  etc. 

Spnj)to7ns. — When  a  horse  is  attacked  with  paralysis  of  one 
side,  called  hemi])lcgia,  if  it  is  complete,  he  falls  on  that  side 
and  is  unable  to  rise ;  but  if  it  is  only  partial,  he  stands  still ; 
or  if  he  attempts  to  move,  the  limbs  of  the  affected  side  are 
only  dragged  along.  The  sense  of  feeling  is  lost  in  the  affected 
part.  If  the  hind  parts  are  affected,  called  i)eri]jlegia,  the  horse 
falls  on  his  haunches,  like  a  dog,  and,  for  a  time,  makes  great 
efforts  to  get  up,  but  finding  his  labor  unavailing,  he  becomes 
resigned  to  his  fate,  and  drags  his  hind  parts  along.  He  loses 
control  of  his  bladder  and  bowels,  and  their  contents  pass  off 
involuntarily.  Partial  palsy  affects  the  muscles  of  one  or  both 
sides  of  the  face,  which  is  generally  drawn  upward,  and  the 
horse  presents  a  hideous  countenance. 

Causes. — Derangement  of  the  nerves  is  the  cause  of  palsy. 
The  nerves  lose  their  power  over  the  muscles.  Derangement 
of  the  digestive  organs  may  cause  palsy.  Injury  of  the  spine, 
by  falls,  blows,  kicks,  etc.,  may  injure  the  spinal  cord,  and 
cause  an  attack  of  palsy.  Palsy  of  the  face  is  sometimes  a 
symptom  of  apoplexy.  The  exact  cause  of  this,  like  most 
other  nervous  diseases,  is  not  well  understood. 

Treoiment. — But  little  can  be  expected  from  any  remedy  in 
a  case  of  palsy,  resulting  from  injury  of  the  spinal  cord. 
Draw  a  large  blister  over  the  loins,  or  the  seat  of  the  injury, 
bleed  freely,  and  give  a  physic.  After  all  symptoms  of  in- 
flammation have  disappeared,  give  tincture  of  nux  vomica, 
one  dram  at  a  dose,  twice  a  day;  the  dose  to  be  gradually  in- 
creased to  two  drams;  to  be  given  in  water,  as  a  drench,  or, 
if  the  horse  is  thirsty,  it  may  be  given  in  a  bucket  of  water. 

Where  the  disease  is  probably  dependent  on  derangement 
of  the  digestive  organs,  put  the  horse  on  the  treatment  recom- 


138  NAVm   ox   THE   HOESE. 

mended  for  indigestion,  and  blister  the  full  length  of  the 
spine.  After  the  blister  heals,  use  the  following  liniment, 
twice  a  day,  along  the  back: 

Take— Capsicum 2  ounces. 

Alcohol 1  Pi^t- 

Mix.     This  is  very  powerful. 

After  all  symptoms  of  inflammation  that  may  have  at- 
tended the  case  have  passed  away,  use  the  tincture  of  nux 
vomica,  as  above  directed. 

Palsy  of  the  face,  which  is  a  mere  symptom  of  congestion 
of  the  brain  or  apoplexy,  will  best  yield  to  the  treatment  for 
such  disease. 

CRAMP,  OR  SPASM  OF  THE  MUSCLES. 

Cramps,  such  as  attack  human  beings,  also  atfect  the  muscles 
of  the  horse.  The  muscles  of  the  limbs  are  most  liable  to  be 
the  seat  of  cramp.  The  horse  is  unable  to  move  the  limb,  and, 
when  compelled  to  move,  he  goes  on  three  legs.  The  limb  is 
often  so  forcibly  drawn  up  that  the  joint  will  crack.  If  trav- 
eling,  he  may  become  very  lame  for  a  few  steps,  and  then  go 
on  all  right  again. 

Horses  that  are  illy-fed,  or  half-starved,  are  generally  the 
subjects  of  cramp.  There  is  not  enough  stimulation  furnished 
the  nerves  by  the  blood. 

Treatment— ^^f\iQn  the  attack  occurs,  the  limb  should  be 
briskly  rubbed,  and  the  horse  made,  if  possible,  to  bear  his 
weio-ht  on  it.  The  object,  then,  is  to  prevent  its  returning  again, 
The'diet  should  be  wholesome  and  nutritious;  he  should  have 
good  stabling  and  pure  air.  He  should  have  "  flax-seed  jelly" 
twice  a  day.     To  improve  his  digestion : 

Take— Golden-seal,  powdered 2  ounces. 

Poplar-bark,  powdered 1  POund. 

Ginger,  powdered 1  o^iice. 

Mix,  and  give  one  table-spoonful  three  times  a  day. 


STRINGHALT.  139 

Give  him  salt,  freely,  every  day.  Good  grooming,  rubbing 
the  legs  thoroughly,  is  necessary. 

STRINGHALT. 

This  is  a  peculiar  t\Yitcliing-up  of  one  or  both  of  the  hind- 
legs,  when  the  horse  is  in  motion.  This  awkward  motion  is 
generally  well  known ;  but  the  cause  of  it  is  not  satisfactorily 
understood.  The  peculiar  jerking-up  of  the  leg,  when  the 
horse  only  intends  to  raise  it  in  the  ordinary  way,  corresponds 
nearer  to  the  action  of  the  limbs  of  a  patient  laboring  under  a 
mild  attack  of  St.  Yitus'  dance  than  any  other  muscular  action 
of  which  I  am  aware.  It  is  evidently  a  nervous  derangement. 
The  animal  has  power  to  put  the  muscles  in  action,  but,  for  a 
moment,  loses  the  power  of  controlling  that  action,  but  then 
regains  it  again  sufficiently  to  bring  the  foot  down  again.  It  is 
certainly  a  derangement  of  the  nerves  supplying  the  unruly 
muscles  which  produces  it.  But  it  has  not  been  clearly  ascer- 
tained what  muscles  are  thus  partially  uncontrollable. 

What  particular  causes  w  ill  bring  on  an  attack  have  not  been 
pointed  out.  Stringhalt  is  unpleasant  to  the  rider,  and  must 
certainly  interfere  with  his  sureness  of  foot,  and  unpleasant  to 
those  who  see  his  movement.  Yet  the  serviceableness  of  the 
horse  may  not  be  greatly  impaired.  Youatt  does  not  regard 
stringhalt  unsoundness. 

Treatment. — I  have  but  little  faith  in  any  treatment  for  this 
difficulty.  If  any  would  be  of  use,  it  would  most  likely  be 
counter-irritation  along  the  spine,  about  the  small  of  the  back, 
together  with  rest,  and  medicines  to  strengthen  the  nerves  in- 
ternally. But  as  the  ailment  does  not  greatly  injure  the  use- 
fulness of  the  horse,  I  can  hardly  recommend  treatment  with 
so  little  px'ospect  of  success. 


140  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYE. 

The  eye  of  the  horse  is  of  peculiar  interest.  However  per- 
fect in  other  regards,  if  his  eyes  are  defective,  he  is  unsafe  for 
nearly  every  purpose,  and  comparatively  valueless.  And  a 
blind  horse,  whatever  may  be  the  symmetry  of  his  proportions, 
is  an  object  upon  which  we  can  look  with  no  sensation  of  de- 
light, only  with  a  certain  shrinking  of  pity ;  he  is  robbed  of 
every  grace  and  beauty  of  life. 

There  are  several  distinct  affections  of  the  eye  of  the  horse, 
which  I  shall  describe  separately,  and  present  the  best  treats 
ment  known  to  the  veterinary  profession.     And  in  recommend- 
ing treatment  for  this  important  organ,  I  am  sorry  that  I  can 
not  speak  wdth  that  confidence  which  I  have  in  the  treatment 
of  many  other  diseases.     It  is  no  use  to  disguise  the  fact,  that 
many  cases  of  disease  of  the  eye  will  go  on  to  a  fatal  termina- 
tion, despite  of  any  thing  that  may  be  done.     But,  fortunately, 
those   affections  which  are  the   most  fatal   to  this   important 
organ  are  almost  entirely  the  result  of  gross  carelessness  in 
the  breeder,  or  palpable  and  criminal  mismanagement  of  the 
horse,  and  can,  almost  entirely,  be  prevented  from  occurring, 
by  attention  to  breeding  to  horses  with  sound  eyes,  and  by  ob- 
serving the  laws  of  health  in  working,  feeding,  stabling,  etc. 
The  affections  of  the  eye,  usually  recognized,  are,  inflammation 
of  the  eye,  or  o])hthalmia;   specific  or  periodic  ophthalmia, 
called  moon-blindness,    cataract,  amaurosis,  gutta  serena  or 
palsy  of  the  optic  nerve.     There  are  other  minor  and  second- 
ary difficulties,  as  haw^s,  called  "hooks,"  warts  about  the  lids, 
and  a  scaly,  itching  eruption  on  the  edges  of  the  lids. 

COMMOX    INFLAMMATION   OF  THE  EYE— OPHTHALMIA  JUNCTAVO. 

This  is  a  true  inflammation  of  the  conjunction,  wdiich  is  a 
thin  membrane  that  lines  all  of  tlie  front  part  of  the  eye, 
and  a  fold  of  it  covers  the  haw,  and  also  lines  the  inside  of 


COMMOX    IXFLAMMATIOX    OF    THE    EYE.  141 

the  lids.  It  is  very  full  of  blood-vessels,  and,  -when  inflamed, 
becomes  swollen  and  red. 

Sym2)toms. — An  attack  of  inflammation  of  the  eye  is  often 
the  result  of  cold,  and  in  such  cases  presents  at  first  only  the 
ordinary  symptoms  of  that  aff*ection.  But  very  soon  the  eye 
will  be  found  to  be  more  than  ordinarily  afl'ected ;  the  inside 
of  the  lids  will  be  red,  and  streaks  of  red  will  be  observed 
over  the  white  in  the  corners  ;  the  eyes  will  look  "bloodshot;" 
the  lids  will  be  more  or  less  swollen,  and  partly  closed,  with 
w^eeping  or  the  dropping  of  tears ;  and  if  a  stream  of  light  is 
suddenly  let  upon  the  eyes,  they  will  be  spasmodically  closed. 
Much  the  same  appearance  will  be  present  wdiatever  may  be 
the  cause  of  the  inflammation.  The  general  health  of  the 
horse  will  be  but  little  afl'ected ;  he  will  eat  well,  and  perform 
his  ordinary  work  with  his  usual  spirit. 

Causes. — This,  as  well  as  all  otherjnflammatory  aflfections, 
is  often  the  result  of  cold  or  exposure.  It  may  be  produced 
by  hay-seeds,  sand,  or  any  foreign  substance  getting  into  the 
eye,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  haw  to  wipe  it  out.  Blows  on 
the  eye,  kicks,  etc.,  may  be  the  cause. 

Treatment. — First  ascertain  the  cause  by  a  careful  examina- 
tion, and,  if  any  thing  is  in  the  eye,  take  it  out.  To  do  this, 
take  a  silk  handkerchief  and  wrap  two  or  three  folds  of  it 
firmly  over  the  end  of  a  large  knitting-needle,  and  pass  it  un- 
der the  lid  and  make  a  sweep  toward  the  corner  of  the  eye, 
and  of  course  over  the  place  Avhere  the  ofl'ending  matter  seems 
to  be  lodged. 

A  long  bristle,  bent  so  as  to  form  a  loop,  and  this  loop  passed 
under  the  lid  beyond  the  mote,  and  then  the  lid  drawn  down 
and  pressed  on,  and  the  loop  withdrawn,  will  remove  any  thing 
fi^om  the  eye. 

The  horse  should  be  kept  in  a  rather  dark  stable,  and  have 
light  food. 

If  the  inflammation  does  not  subside  after  removing  the 
foreign  substance,  if  any  is  found,  or  if  it  results  from  other 


142  KAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

cause:^,  it  will  be  proper  to  bleed  and  physic.     At  tbe  same 
time  put  a  rowel  about  two  inches  below  the  eye. 

The  following  wash  may  be  used  once  or  twice  a  day : 

Take— Sulpliate    of  zinc 10  grains. 

Sugar  of  lead 20  grains. 

Loaf-sugar 1  dram. 

Eain-water 1  q^art. 

Mix,  and  wash  the  eye  with  the  liquid. 

If  a  coat  or  film  is  appearing  on  the  eye,  I  have  found  the 
following  preparation  to  almost  invariably  remove  it.  It  is 
very  severe,  but  is  as  near  a  universal  remedy  for  the  eye  as 
can  be  found.  It  may  be  used  in  any  case  that  is  very  obsti- 
nate. Notwithstanding  its  severity,  I  have  never  known  any 
harm  to  result  from  its  use.  Take  an  egg  and  break  the  end 
of  it,  and  pour  out  the  most  of  the  white,  then  break  up  the 
yellow,  and  stir  in  with  it  enough  salt  to  make  a  stiif  mass. 
Then  set  the  egg  on  the  hot  coals  in  the  fire,  cover  with  coals, 
and  let  it  remain  until  it  is  perfectly  charred,  or  until  it  quits 
blazing;  it  is  then  to  be  removed  from  the  fire  and  reduced  to 
a  perfectly  fine  powder,  and  kept  in  a  well-stopped  bottle.  A 
portion  of  this  is  to  be  put  in  a  quill  and  blown  into  the  eye 
once  a  day. 

"  HOOKS,"  OR  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  HAW. 

This  is  an  affection  of  a  part  of  the  eye,  being  an  in- 
flammation  of  the  haiv.  This  difiiculty  seems  to  be  thoroughly 
understood  by  almost  everybody,  quite  as  well  as  they  under- 
stand "^*ofo."  And  the  eye  of  a  horse  can  hardly  become 
affected,  but  some  wiseacre  examines  it,  and,  seeing  the  haw, 
(which  is  always  present,  and  is  a  very  necessary  organ,  as 
we  shall  see),  pronounces  the  case  ''hooks,''  and  recommends 
that  they  be  ''cut  oiif'— the  great  and  universal  remedy.  And 
the  owner,  feeling  "that  something  has  got  to  be  done,"  and 
being  ignorant  of  the  structure  and  nature  of  the  diseases 


"hooks,"  or    IXFLAMMATIOJi    OF    THE    HAW.  143 

of  the  horse's  eye,  gives  his  horse  over  into  the  hands  of  this 
miserable,  pretending  goiiger,  to  be  "cut  for  the  hooks." 
There  is  no  doubt  but  many  a  fine  horse  has  been  subjected 
to  this  barbarous  and  foolish  operation  when  the  haw  was  not 
at  all  diseased,  and  thus  injured  for  all  future  time;  as,  indeed, 
a  horse  always  is,  after  this  unnecessary  operation.  I  can  not 
too  strongly  speak  against  the  popular  practice  of  blindly  tam- 
pering with  the  best  servant  of  man ;  which,  however,  the  in- 
telligent and  humane  owner  will  not  do  himself,  but  he  only 
shifts  the  responsibility,  by  permitting  the  most  ignorant  of 
the  neighborhood,  who  have  neither  interest  nor  humanity  at 
stake,  to  do  so.  How  much  better,  in  this  country,  where 
well-informed  veterinary  surgeons  can  not  be  got,  except  in 
some  of  the  larger  cities,  that  every  farmer  or  owner  of  a 
horse  should  inform  himself  on  this  subject;  or,  at  least,  take 
the  precaution  to  have  some  reliable  means  of  information 
convenient,  which  will  enable  him  to  ascertain  the  difficulty 
and  apply  the  proper  remedy. 

In  order  to  explain  fully  the  difficulty  called  hooks,  and  to 
show  how  injurious  is  the  practice  of  cutting  for  it,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  call  attention  to  the  structure  and  use  of  the 
liaiu.  This  is  a  triangular  or  V  shaped,  cartilaginous  (gristly) 
structure,  situated  at  the  inner  corner  of  the  eye,  between  the 
eyeball  and  side  of  the  socket.  The  short  side  of  this  tri- 
angle is  thinned  down  to  quite  a  sharp  edge,  and  looks  out- 
ward, or  toward  the  sight  of  the  eye,  while  the  sharp  angle  is 
far  back  in  the  corner  of  the  eye.  The  haw  is  concave  on  its 
under  side,  next  to  the  eye,  and  convex  without,  so  that  it  fits 
close  to  the  ball ;  it  is  covered  with  a  thin  fold  of  membrane, 
of  the  same  that  lines  the  ball  of  the  eye  and  the  inside  of 
the  lid,  so  that  it  may  move  smoothly  over  the  ball  of  the  eye. 
N'oAv,  the  use  of  this  is  to  pass  rapidly  over  the  ball  of  the 
eye  whenever  any  dust,  bug,  sand,  or  any  thing  else  gets  in 
it,  and  thus  wipe  it  off".  The  haw  has  no  muscle  attached 
to  it,  to  draw  it  forward  over  the  eye,  but  its  movement  is 


144  NAYIN   OX   THE   IIOESE. 

affected  by  anotlier  very  peculiar  arrangement.     Behind  the 
ball  of  the  eye,  in  the  cavity  of  the  socket,  there  is  a  large 
quantity  of  fat,  and  this  extends  up  into  the  inner  corner  in 
quite  a  large  lump.     This  fat  is  not  like  the  conimon  fat  of 
the  body,  for  it  does  not  waste  when  the  horse  is  in  low  con- 
dition, nor  increase  when  he  is  in  high  condition.     This  fat  is 
very  elastic,  and,  when  pressed  upon,  it  slips  from  under  the 
pressure,  and  as  soon  as  the  pressure  is  removed,  instantly 
returns  to  its  place  again.     There  is  attached  to  the  ball  of 
the  horse's  eye  a  muscle  peculiar  to  quadrupeds  or  four-footed 
animals;  and  the  use  of  this  muscle  is  to  draw  the  eye  back 
into  the  socket  on  the  approach  of  the  least  danger.     Now, 
whenever  this  muscle  acts,  it  draws  the  eyeball  back,  and  it 
presses  on  the  fat  behind  it,  and  causes  it  to  crowd  out  into 
the  inner  corner  of  the  eye,  against  the  sharp  angle  of  the 
haw,  which  also  is  tipped  with  a  little  ball  of  fat,  and  by  this 
means  the  haw  is  made  to  dart  over  the  ball  of  the  eye  with 
the  rapidity  of  lightning;  and,  as  the  ball  of  the  eye  is  oval 
in  shape,  as  soon  as  the  muscle  which  draAvs  the  eye  back  re- 
laxes, the  fat  returns  to  its  proper  place,  and  the  haw  darts 
back  to  its  hiding-place,  carrying  on  its  upper  surface  the 
tears,  dust,  or  whatever  offending  matter  might  have  lodged 
on  the  eye.     But  as  this  might  do  mischief  if  allowed  to  go 
down  the  little  tube  in  the  corner  of  the  eye,  leading  to  the 
nose,  they  are  wiped  off  on  the  outside.     Thus  we  find  the 
haw 'to  be  the  horse's  pocket-handkerchief,  or  washer  of  the 
eye,  and  of  great  service  to  him,  being  the  only  means  of 
protecting  his  eyes  from  the  irritation  of  the  dust,  etc.,  through 
which  he\as  to  travel,  as  well  as  protecting  him  from  the 
liability  to  several  diseases  of  a  very  unpleasant  nature. 

We  are  now  prepared  to  give  a  sensible  explanation  of  the 
great  "bugbear"  called  ''hooks,''  and  to  hold  up  to  the  de- 
served contempt  of  sensible  people  those  miserable  gougers 
who  are  always  ready  to  ''cut  out  the  hooks,''  (the  haw),  when- 
ever, from  any  cause,  it  is  brought  within  their  reach. 


"hooks,"  or  inflammatiot^  of  the  haw.  145 

Whenever  the  horse's  eye  becomes  inflamed,  or  irritated 
and  tender,  from  any  cause,  the  light,  or  even  the  wind,  will 
hurt  it,  and  then  the  peculiar  muscle,  before  described,  con- 
tracts a  little  and  holds  the  eye  back,  pressing  the  fat,  and 
causing  the  haw  to  project  out  a  little  distance.  Or  the  haw 
itself  may  become  inflamed,  and  become  thicker  and  larger, 
of  course,  than  natural,  and  by  this  means  made  to  project  a 
little.  This  irritation  of  the  haw  is,  in  many  cases,  only  tem- 
porary, being  the  result  of  sympathy  with  other  parts  of  the 
eye  in  a  state  of  irritation. 

Treatment. — If  the  protruding  of  the  haw  is  caused  by  any 
other  disease  of  the  eye,  or  by  any  disease  that  makes  light 
painful  to  it,  causing' it  to  be  drawn  back,  the  proper  treat- 
ment for  that  disease  should  be  applied,  and  when  it  is  cured, 
the  haw  will  get  well  and  return  to  its  proper  place.  If  the 
haw  itself  is  inflamed,  the  horse  should  be  bled  three  or  four- 
quarts,  and  a  cooling  physic  given.  Apply  the  following 
lotion  to  the  eye : 

Take— Sugar  of  lead 2  drams. 

Rain-water \  pint 

Dissolve  the  sugar  of  lead  in  the  water. 

Apply  this  to  the  eye  as  a  lotion,  or  wash,  three  times  &. 
day,  with  a  clean  piece  of  muslin. 

Sometimes  the  following  will  do  better: 

Take— White  vitriol  (sulphate  of  zinc) ^  dram. 

Rain-water  .    1  pint. 

Mix  and  dissolve.     Use  the  same  as  the  preceding  one. 

There  is  no  necessity  of  ever  cutting  out  the  haw,  unless  it 
should  ulcerate,  Avhich  very  seldom  happens;  and  even  then,, 
by  proper  treatment,  the  ulcer  may  be  cured  without  an 
operation. 

10 


146  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

CATARACT. 

There  are  two  species  of  this  difficulty;  one  being  a  dis- 
eased  condition  of  the  lens  of  the  eye,  and  the  other  tlie  form- 
ation  of  a  false  membrane  over  the  lens,  either  of  which  will 

produce  blindness. 

>Sym/;to5.— Cataract  will  often  not  be  discovered,  especially 
by  a  careless  owner,  until  a  difficulty  of  vision  is  made  obvi- 
ous  by  the  horse  exhibiting  the  usual  indications  of  blindness. 
But  it  will  usuallv  be  found  to  commence  by  a  speck,  of  a 
radiating  appearaiace,  like  the  rays  of  the  sun,  formmg  on 
the  lens  of  the  eye,  seen  through  the  pupil,  either  near  the 
center  of  it,  or  at  the  upper  or  lower  edge.  This  speck  may 
continue  to  increase  until  it  entirely  covers  the  pupil,  causing 
it  to  appear  of  a  uniform  whitish  color,  and  causmg  complete 
iblindness;  or  it  may  never  advance  further  than  a  mere  spot, 
more  or  less  obstructing  vision,  as  it  may  happen  to  be  near  to 
■or  remote  from  the  center  of  the  pupil.  .     ,     ,        . 

A  cataract  may  be  distinguished  from  amaurosis,  (palsy  of 
ihe  nerve  of  sight),  by  the  permanently  dilated  and  bnght 
.appearance  of  the  pupil  in  the  latter,  and  the  speck  of  white, 
,or  entire  white,  within  the  pupil,  as  described  m  cataract.  A 
■  cataract  may  appear  only  in  one  eye,  or  in  both.  ^ 

Causes.-Any  thing  that  will  give  rise  to  a  chronic  (con- 
tinued) irritation  of  the  eye  may  produce  cataract.,  irritation 
from  exposure  of  the  eye  to  intense  light  is  very  liable  to 

•  cause  it. 

Treatment.— Yeicvm^ry  surgeons  do  not  seem  to  agree  very 

perfectly  as  to  the  curability  of  cataract,  or,  rather,  as  t^  the 

■propriety  of  operating  for  it.     We  have  no  faith  m  any  thing 

but  an  operation  for  this  difficulty,  unless  it  be  discovered 

when  a  mere  speck  has  formed  on  the  lens,  when  its  growth 

might  possibly  be  stopped  by  putting  the  horse  on  grass  m  a 

shady  or  wood  pasture,  and  giving  him  what  is  called  altera 

live  treatment-such  as  any  of  the  alteratives  named  under 

that  head,  in  the  materia  medica  part  of  this  work;  and,  at 


AMAUROSIS,  OR   GUTTA   SERENA.  147 

the  same  time,  using  any  of  the  usual  mild,  stimulating  eye- 
washes, to  reduce  any  irritation  of  the  eye. 

There  are  two  different  operations:  one  to  be  performed 
when  the  lens  itself  is  the  seat  of  the  disease,  and  which  is 
called  extirpation  of  the  lens,  and  consists  in  removing  it ;  the 
other,  called  couching,  consists  in  passing  a  pointed  instru- 
ment, a  couching-needle,  in  front  of  the  lens,  and  pressing 
down  the  false  membrane  from  before  the  lens. 

The  former  operation  is  quite  useless,  as  a  double-convex 
lens,  or  glass,  would  have  to  be  worn  after  it,  which  would  be 
impracticable  with  the  horse.  The  latter  may  be  very  suc- 
cessful, and  will  justify  having  it  performed.  An  experienced 
oculist,  or  veterinary  surgeon,  alone  can  tell  which  operation 
would  be  required;  and  such  alone  can  perform  it.  On  ac- 
count of  the  retracting  of  the  eye  by  the  muscle,  whose  ofiice 
it  is  to  draw  it  back,  the  operation  could  not  be  performed 
without  the  use  of  chloroform,  but  by  administering  it  this 
difficulty  is  entirely  obviated.  ' 

AMAUROSIS,  OR  GUTTA  SERENA. 

This  affection  is  commonly  called  glass-eye,  and  is  character- 
ized by  a  total  loss  of  sight,  without  any  known  previous 
affection  of  the  eye.     It  may  affect  either  one  or  both  eyes. 

Sijmptonis. — The  symptoms  by  which  wq  may  distinguish 
this  difficulty  are  not  very  numerous,  but  sufficiently  charac- 
teristic. The  owner  or  groom  will  first  be  led  to  suspect  some 
diffi-culty  of  the  eye  from  the  movements  of  the  horse.  On 
examination  the  pupil  (the  sight  of  the  eye)  will  be  found 
permanently  dilated;  will  not  contract  in  the  strongest  light; 
the  horse  will  take  no  notice  of  any  motion  toward  the  eye; 
he  is  "stone-blind"  in  the  affected  eye  or  eyes.  The  peculiar, 
glassy  brightness  of  the  eye  renders  it  unmistakable. 

Causes. — Amaurosis  is  a  palsy  of  the  optic  nerve,  which 
conveys  the  impressions  of  objects  to  the  brain,  to  produce 
the  sense  of  sight;  or  of  the  retina,  which  is  the  broad  expan- 


-j^^g  NAVIN   0^   THE   HORSE. 

sion  of  this  nerve  at  the  back  of  the  eye,  on  which  the  impres- 
sion of  objects  falls.  It  may  be  the  consequence  of  staggers, 
apoplexy,  or  be  produced  by  tumors  pressing  on  the  nerve, 
etc.  It'may  be  sympathetic,  resulting  from  disease  of  other 
oro-ans,  as  indigestion  or  debility.  _ 

Treatment— Some  authors  make  a  general  sweep  on  this 
point,   and  pronounce  gutta  serena  incurable.     And  though 
our  own  experience  has  not  been  extensive  in  this  disease,  we 
see  no  reason  why  it  might  not  be  as  curable  as  the  same  dis- 
ease  in  the  human  patient,  or  nearly  so,  at  least.     There  are, 
however,  well-authenticated  cases  of   cure;    but  they  have, 
doubtless,  been  such  as  were  the  result  of  mere  functional  de- 
rano-ement  of  the  optic  nerve,  resulting  from  other  diseases 
or  debility;  being  only  symptomatic,  and  not  connected  with 
positive  disease  of  the  nerve,  nor  the  consequence  of  disease 
of  the  brain.     These  cases  may  certainly  be  regarded  as  in- 
curable     If  any  thing  could  be  done,  it  would  be  by  setons 
under  the  jaw,  and,  twice  a  day,  passing  a  current  of  electro- 
magnetism  along  the  course  of  the  nerve;  placing  one  pole  of 
the  battery  by  the  eye,  below  it,  and  the  other  at  the  butt  of 

the  opposite  ear. 

If  the  horse  is  in  high  condition,  his  feed  should  be  reduced 
somewhat,  and  a  physic  given  once  or  twice  a  week. 

Take— Aloes,  pulverized ^  <^''^°^^- 

Prickly -ash  bark,  pulverized 2  drams. 

^  „„u  1  ounce. 

Common  salt ^ 

Warm  water ^  P^"*' 

Mis,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

The  head  should  be  frequently  sponged  with  cold  water. 
But  if  the  case  is  one  of  debility,  rather  an  opposite  course 
will  be  required.  Tonics  (strengthening  medicines)  and  al- 
teratives (such  as  act  generally,  improving  the  system)  will 
be  proper. 


BLINDXESS.  149 


BLINDNESS. 


Under  this  head  I  shall  consider  those  cases  of  blindness 
not  immediately  resulting  from  active  disease.  Blindness,  as 
remarked  in  my  hints  on  breeding,  is  hereditary  to  a  great 
extent ;  but  not,  as  some  imagine,  to  the  extent  of  the  horse 
becoming  blind  without  any  other  cause.  The  horse  inherits 
a  predisposition  to  the  disease,  and  it,  therefore,  only  requires 
a  moderate  amount  of  exposure  to  those  influences  calculated 
to  affect  the  eyes  to  develop  blindness.  Blindness  is  by  no 
means  an  atfection  to  which  the  horse  is  peculiarly  liable  in 
the  state  of  nature,  for  the  undomesticated  animal  is  hardly 
ever  affected  with  it.  The  offspring  of  one  horse  will  go  blind 
as  soon  as  exposed  to  the  exciting  cause,  while  those  of  an- 
other horse,  by  the  same  mares,  will  resist  such  influences, 
and  never  become  blind. 

It  is  impossible  to  calculate  the  influence  of  bad  manage- 
ment in  producing  blindness.  But,  after  reflecting  on  the  ex- 
posures to  which  horses  are  subjected  in  many  parts  of  the 
country,  the  wonder  will  not  be  that  so  many  horses  go  blind, 
but  that  any  of  them  should  retain  their  sight.  It  is  no  un- 
common thing,  on  stepping  into  a  stable,  to  be  greeted  by  an 
effluvia,  rising  from  the  dung  and  urine  accumulated  around 
the  horses'  stalls,  so  strong  as  to  occasion  smarting  of  the  eyes 
and  even  of  the  nose.  In  such  places,  the  horse  has  no 
chance  to  lie  down  except  in  his  om'u  excrement,  a  thing  which, 
from  his  natural  sense  of  decency,  he  abhors  to  do.  In  other 
cases,  the  horse  is  constrained  to  stand  in  a  close  stall,  with 
his  hind-feet  on  a  pile  of  manure,  perhaps  two  feet  above  his 
fore  ones,  and  if  he  lies  down  at  all,  it  is  in  the  same  uncom- 
fortable position,  and  when  once  down,  he  can  hardly  get  up 
again.  If  the  inhumanly  careless  owner  were  put  to  sleep 
where  every  thing  under  him  was  wet  and  of  the  most  offens- 
ive character,  and  with  a  pair  of  pillows  under  the  lower  part 
of  his  body,  he  might  learn  sympathy  for  his  poor,  faithful 


l^Q  NAVm   ON   THE   HORSE. 

servant.  But  tliis  is  not  the  only  punishment  inflicted;  for, 
in  addition  to  the  accmmdation  of  manure  in  the  stable,  con- 
stantly emitting  irritating  gases  which  affect  the  eyes,  these 
stables  are  generally  kept  so  tight  that  no  fresh  air  and  no  ray 
of  lio-ht  can  enter  them ;  and  when  the  horse,  after  bemg  con- 
fined"  in  this  loathsome  dungeon,  comes  into  the  light,  he 
shrinks  from  it  with  pain.  And  the  poor  animal  if  he  could 
only  speak,  would  doubtless  exclaim,  "Better  to  dwell  m  the 
midst  of  alarms  than  live  in  this  horrible  place." 

The  o-reat  majority  of  horses  that  go  blind  will  be  found  to 
have  been  kept  in  such  places,  and,  perhaps,  overworked  at 
the  same  time.  A  signal  loss  is  even  attendant  on  such  a 
course;  for,  in  addition  to  the  liability  of  the  horse  to  take 
inflammation  of  the  eyes  and  become  blind,  it  takes  more  feed 
to  keep  him,  and  he  can  not  perform  near  the  amount  of  labor 
he  otherwise  would.  I  have  traveled  in  several  States  of  the 
Union,  as  well  as  in  difl-erent  parts  of  Europe,  and  have 
Wnd  that,  where  horses  are  properly  stabled,  fed,  and  worked 
blindness  is  seldom  known.  Whereas,  where  they  are  kept 
in  the  dark,  filthy,  and  illy  ventilated  hovels  before  referred 
to,  nearly  one-fourth  of  the  horses  become  blind,  and  many 
others  affected  with  weakness  of  the  eyes. 

Such  cruelty  to  a  valuable  animal  like  the  horse  should 
call  down  the  contempt  of  community,  and  even  be  punished 
by  the  penalty  of  the  law.     No  man  is  justified  m  thus  de- 

stroying  an  animal.  „,,.-,  4.    n 

Treatment-Yeij  few  of  these  cases  of  blindness  are  at  all 
curable      The  cause  of  the  difficulty  must  be  removed,  the 
horse  restored  to  a  state  of  nature,  as  nearly  as  possible,  and 
-  en  the  proper  medicine  given,  such  as  the  case  may  mdi- 
,te      But  little  prospect  of  curing  such  cases  can  be  enter- 
tained      I  am  of  the  opinion  that  more  good  will  be  accom- 
Dlishcd  by  giving  the  horse  ten  grains  of  calomel,  three  times 
a  day,  with  a  small  quantity  of  bran,  than  by  any  other  treat- 
ment     In  most  of  such  cases  there  is  a  deposit  of  what  is 
called  coagulable  lymph  in  the  dark  part  of  the  eye,  causing 


FALLING   OFF    OF    THE    HAIR.  151 

it  to  become  of  a  milky-white  color.  Mercury  is  a  solvent  of 
this,  and,  by  continuing  its  use  for  a  long  time,  the  white  or 
milky  appearance  of  the  eye  may  disappear,  and  sight  return. 


SKIN  DISEASES. 

FALLING  OFF  OF  THE  HAIK. 

Theee  are  a  number  of  skin  diseases  which  cause  the  falling 
off  or  destruction  of  the  hair.  Some  of  them  are  described 
elsewhere.  The  disease  I  propose  considering  here  occurs  in 
two  forms :  the  one  called  humid  or  moist  exanthema,  and  the 
other  dry  exanthema.  The  disease  is  first  noticed  in  the  form 
of  little  blisters,  or  vesicles,  which  pour  out  a  fluid  that  dries 
u}),  leaving  hard  scabs,  which  are  replaced  by  small  ulcers,  that 
finally  deepen  into  the  skin  to  such  an  extent  as  to  destroy  the 
roots  of  the  hair.  Very  great  itching  attends  the  disease, 
causing  the  horse  to  rub  himself  severely,  even  rubbing  the 
hair  off.  It  may  appear  on  the  neck,  flanks,  or  sides,  and  ex- 
tend from  these  points.  The  horse's  coat  may  be  extensively 
destroyed  by  this  disease. 

The  dry  form  of  the  disease  appears  in  pimples,  which  dry 
up,  leaving  a  bran-like  scurf.  The  itching  in  this  form  is  also 
very  great. 

Treatment. — The  affected  parts  of  the  body  should  be  washed 
every  day  with  soap  and  water,  very  thoroughly.  Then  an 
ointment,  made  as  follows,  should  be  carefully  applied  to  all 
the  sore  parts : 

Take— -Pyroligneous  acid 6  ounces. 

Charcoal,  powdered 2  ounces. 

Olive  oil 1  pint. 

Common  salt 1  ounce. 

Resin,  powdered 2  ounces. 

Mix^  to  form  an  ointment,  to  be  used  once  a  day. 


]^52  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

Give  ligM,  easily  digested  feed ;  and  give,  internally,  the 


following 


Take— Sulphur,  powdered *  po^nd. 

Cream  of  tartar i  V^^^^' 

Powdered  sassafras 1  pound. 

Mix,  and  give  two  table-spoonfuls  twice  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

Groom  well,  to  keep  the  hide  clean. 

RAT'S  TAIL. 

An  intense  itching  at  the  root  of  the  tail,  on  the  upper  side, 
sometimes  occurs,  causing  the  horse  to  rub  or  scratch  the  part 
against  the  timbers  of  his  stall,  until  a  streak  of  the  hair  is 
worn  off.     This  itching  is  caused  by  an  eruption  of  the  skin  at 

that  place. 

Treatment— Fasten  the  horse  so  he  can  not  rub  the  tail ; 

then  apply  the  following : 

Take— Venice  turpentine 2  ounces. 

Pvroligneous  acid 2  ounces. 

Linseed  oil 2  ounces. 

Mix,  to  form  an  ointment  or  liniment. 

Wash  the  part  once  a  day  with  soap  and  water,  and  anoint 
it  with  the  above.  Horses  with  small  worms  in  the  rectum 
will  also  rub  the  tail  and  rump.  When  caused  by  worms,  treat 
the  horse  for  them. 

POULTRY  LOUSINESS. 

Great  numbers  of  lice  are  sometimes  found  in  the  hair  of  the 
horse,  mostly  along  the  mane  and  on  the  breast.  They  are  a 
small  species  of  lice,  of  a  dark  gray  color,  being  rather  long 
and  slim.  They  are  identically  the  same  species  of  lice  found 
on  fowls.  They  are  communicated  to  the  horse  by  fowls  being 
allowed  to  roost  and  remain  about  the  stable  in  which  he  is 
kept.     They  may  be  suspected,  if  the  horse  rubs  the  mane, 


SURFEIT.  153 

bites  and  scratches  himself,  and  keeps  this  up,  worse  and  more 
of  it,  from  day  to  day,  often  tearing  hair  and  skin  both  off. 
A  careful  examination  will  show  the  vermin  themselves,  if 
present. 

Treatment. — The  quickest  way  is  to  use  something  that  will 
destroy  the  lice  and  also  the  nits. 

Take — Corrosive  sublimate 2  drams. 

Ked  precipitate \  ounce. 

Alcohol 4  ounces. 

I-ard 1^  pounds. 

Mix  thoroughly,  to  make  an  ointment. 

Rub  the  place  where  the  lice  are  suspected.  Whatever  is 
used,  the  body  should  not  be  encircled  with  it.  If  any  place 
should  be  missed  the  first  rubbing,  and  lice  should  be  found  on 
it,  rub  that  part  again.  Tobacco  ooze  will  kill  them,  but  it  is 
dangerous.  Cologne-water  will  kill  common  head-lice,  why  not 
these  ?  The  common  coal-oil,  now  so  extensively  used,  is  one 
of  the  best  agents  for  destroying  lice  that  can  be  used.  Try  it. 
Anoint  the  lousy  horse  well  with  it. 

SURFEIT. 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  skin,  which  makes  its  appearance  in 
small  lumps,  or  pimples,  on  the  horse's  neck,  and  which  some- 
times spreads  over  his  back,  sides,  loins,  and  quarters. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  may  be  in  the  very  best  health  and 
condition  when  surfeit  makes  its  appearance.  There  are  no 
symptoms  going  before  by  which  the  attack  can  be  known  to 
be  coming  on.  The  eruptions  will  generally  be  seen  first  on 
the  neck,  and  they  may  not  come  out  any  further  back,  but 
they  frequently  extend  along  the  sides,  back,  loins,  or  quarters. 
These  lumps,  or  pimples,  are  about  the  width  of  the  end  of  the 
finger,  or  less.  They  are  most  elevated  in  the  center,  and  get 
thin,  gradually,  toward  the  edges.  After  remaining  a  few  days, 
they  discharge  a  thin,  reddish  yellow  water,  and  scaly  scabs 


154  Js^AYIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

form  in  the  hair,  dry  up  and  come  off,  taking  the  hair  with 
them.  Sometimes  these  himps  are  attended  with  much  itch- 
ing. They  may  come  out  very  suddenly,  and  occasionally  go 
away  quite  as  quick  as  they  came ;  in  such  cases,  the  horse  is 
very  liable  to  be  attacked  soon  again. 

Causes. — It  seems  to  me  that  the  cause  of  this  disease  is  a 
derangement  of  the  stomach  or  digestive  organs,  and  then  the 
horse  becoming  suddenly  chilled.  Musty  or  mow-burnt  hay 
is  said  to  cause  it ;  also,  some  poisonous  herbs.  The  drinking 
of  cold  water,  when  the  horse  is  hot,  is  thought  by  some"  to 
cause  surfeit.  A  neglected  surfeit  may  degenerate  or  run  into 
mange. 

Surfeit  may  be  mistaken  for  mange  or  button-farcy.  It  may 
be  known  from  mange  by  trying  the  short  hairs  at  the  roots  of 
the  mane.  If  the  case  be  mange,  they  will  be  loose  and  come 
out;  if  surfeit,  in  their  natural  condition.  In  mange,  the  skin 
is  thick,  very  scurfy,  and  puckered;  in  surfeit,  the  skin  is  in 
nearly  its  natural  condition,  except  in  old  and  neglected  cases. 

Surfeit  will  be  known  from  button-farcy  by  the  shape  of  the 
farcy-buds,  which  are  somewhat  fiat  on  top,  and  have  thick 
edges,  and  feel  like  a  button  in  the  skin.  Farcy-buds  generally 
appear  first  on  the  inside  of  the  thighs  and  fore-legs,  while  sur- 
feit-pimples are  seldom  found  in  these  places. 

Treatment. — In  the  first  start,  bleed  from  three  to  five  quarts; 
then  the  following  alterative  prescription  should  be  given : 

Take — Powdered  niter 3  drams. 

Powdered  sulphur 4  drams. 

Powdered  poplar  bark 1  ounce. 

Powdered  black  sulphate  of  antimony.  .  ..2  drams. 
Mix.     The  above  is  to  be  given  every  night,  in  a  bran  mash,  with  a  pint 
of  flax-seed  tea. 

The  horse  should  be  warndy  clothed  and  have  gentle  exer- 
cise. His  diet  should  be  light — green  food,  if  to  be  had ;  if 
not,  bran  and  shorts.     If  it  does  not  improve  on  this  treat- 


MALANDERS — SCRATCHES.  155 

ment,  but  still  becomes  worse,  it  will  run  into  mange,  and 
must  be  treated  as  such. 

MALANDERS  AND  SALANDERS. 

Horses  are  subject  to  a  scurfy  eruption  on  the  inside  of  the 
legs — in  front  of  the  hough  in  the  hind-legs,  and  behind  the 
knee  in  the  fore-legs — which  becomes  scabb}^  and  cracks.  But 
little  inconvenience  results  from  it.  When  it  occurs  in  the 
hind-legs,  the  disease  is  termed  salanders;  when  in  the  fore- 
legs, malanders.  These  ailments,  or,  rather,  this  ailment,  oc- 
curs very  seldom  in  this  country.  My  own  observation  in 
Europe  has  led  me  to  the  conclusion  that  the  lime-dust  of 
graded  roads,  thrown  on  the  parts  where  the  skin  is  so  much 
in  action,  acts  as  a  caustic,  causing  this  affection.  It  occurs, 
generally,  in  coach-horses  of  every-day  work. 

Treatment. — Wash  clean  with  soap  and  warm  water,  once  a 
day,  and  apply  the  ointment  recommended  for  grease,  or 
scratches,  which  see. 

SCRATCHES,  OR  GREASE. 

This  is  an  affection  very  common  in  most  countries.  It 
starts  in  the  cavity  above  the  heel,  between  it  and  the  fetlock. 
It  is  characterized,  when  fully  developed,  by  hard  scabs  ;  some- 
times in  clusters,  but  often  covering  the  leg  from  the  heel  to 
the  knee  or  hough ;  or  by  deep  cracks  in  the  skin.  The  disease 
may  properly  be  divided  into  two  stages ;  the  first  being  what 
is  generally  termed  scratches,  and  the  second  being  known 
under  the  name  of  grease,  or  grease-heel. 

Spnjjtoms. — The  usual  symptoms  of  inflammation  will  be 
observed  about  the  heels  in  the  first  of  the  attack  of  scratches, 
as  heat,  pain,  swelling,  and  redness  of  the  skin.  But  with 
those  who  do  not  pay  careful  attention  to  their  horses,  and  our 
farmers  generally  belong  to  this  class,  this  inflammation  of  the 


156  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

skin  will  go  through  its  first  stage  without  being  noticed.  But 
when  the  peculiar,  hot,  tumid,  and  tender  condition  of  the  parts 
usually  the  seat  of  the  attack  is  observed,  scratches  may  be  ex- 
pected, and  the  proper  treatment  should  be  applied. 

Very  soon,  however,  these  symptoms  of  active  inflammation 
subside,  to  a  certain  extent,  and  another  train  of  symptoms, 
constituting  a  chronic  inflammation,  supervene.  This  stage 
of  the  disease  is  what  is  generally  known  as  scratches.  The 
skin  remains  hot,  and  becomes  dry  and  scurfy.  The  usual  oily 
secretion,  which  is  very  great  about  the  heels,  and  which  is  in- 
tended to  keep  the  skin  soft  and  pliable,  becomes  arrested 
under  the  influence  of  inflammation,  and  the  skin  becomes  like 
a  piece  of  scorched  leather,  and  breaks  and  cracks  by  the  ordi- 
nary motion  of  the  parts.  These  cracks  may  become  worse  and 
worse,  until  the  whole  of  the  heel  becomes  covered  with  deep 
ulcerations,  shooting  up  masses  of  fungus,  or  "proud  flesh;" 
and  as  the  hair-bulbs  become  involved  in  the  inflammation,  and 
the  scabs  or  scurf  fall  ofl*,  the  hair  also  comes  off,  leaving  the 
skin  of  the  leg  much  of  the  appearance  of  the  hide  of  the  toad. 
These  fungus  masses  run  an  oftensive  fluid ;  they  are  tender, 
and  bleed  on  the  slightest  touch,  and  after  awhile  become  cov- 
ered with  a  horny  scale,  called  grapes;  and  they  have  aptly 
been  compared,  in  this  stage,  to  the  coat  of  a  pineapple.  But, 
after  the  cracks  have  become  deep,  the  discharge  generally 
changes  its  character,  and  becomes  a  complete  oil,  having  an 
offensive  smell,  and  the  horse  rapidly  runs  down,  or  loses  flesh. 
This  oil  or  grease  will  burn  much  like  lard.  This  I  regard  as 
the  third  stage  of  the  disease. 

But  it  must  be  remembered  that  every  case  will  not  go 
through  all  these  different  stages,  nor,  indeed,  even  the  major- 
ity. For,  as  the  disease  is  generally  produced  and  continued  by 
negligence  in  attending  to  the  horse's  feet  or  legs,  it  may  be  ar- 
rested, at  any  stage,  by  merely  discontinuing  such  negligence, 
or  by  very  simple  treatment,  as  rest  and  cleanliness,  or  turning 
the  horse  on  grass,  but  generally  needs  care. 


SCRATCHES,    OR   GREASE.  157 

There  are  also  other  forms  in  which  the  disease  presents 
itself.  In  Europe,  the  disease  appears,  generally,  by  a  large 
s\Yelling  of  the  leg,  called  stocJiing,  and  from  this  runs  into 
grease.  In  other  cases,  neither  scratches  nor  swelled  leg  pre- 
cede, but  the  case  assumes  the  form  of  grease  from  the  first. 
This  is  called  star-foot.  I  have  seen  colts  of  a  star-foot  mare, 
with  the  hair  standing  erect  about  the  feet  at  four  months  of 
age,  commence  to  run  grease  at  two  or  three  years  old,  or  as 
soon  as  taken  into  the  stable.  This  affection  is  evidently 
hereditary  in  these  cases. 

Causes. — Percival  says:  "The  presence  of  grease  is  a  pretty 
infallible  test  of  negligent  grooming."  Nature  has  adapted  the 
different  parts  of  every  animal  most  perfectly  to  the  uses  for 
which  they  are  intended.  The  heel  of  the  race-horse  is  covered 
with  a  thin  skin  and  fine,  short  hair,  evidently  for  the  purpose 
of  quick  action ;  that  of  the  dray  or  farm-horse  is  covered 
with  long,  thick  hair,  and  the  skin  is  very  thick. 

There  is  a  large  quantity  of  oily  matter  poured  out  on  the 
heel  of  the  horse,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  skin  soft  and 
pliable,  to  enable  the  horse  to  perform  his  motions  with  ease. 
This  oil  also  prevents,  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  mud  and 
snow  from  sticking  to  the  heels.  Whatever  removes  this  oil 
will  render  the  skin  dry,  and  disposed  to  crack  and  inflame, 
and,  consequently,  give  rise  to  scratches. 

Any  thing  that  will  produce  inflammation  of  the  skin  of  the 
heel,  or  in  any  way  weaken  it,  will  cause  the  disease.  Work- 
ing a  horse  on  muddy  roads,  and  allowing  the  mud  to  remain 
on  his  legs  over  night,  or  washing  the  legs  after  the  day's  labor, 
and  not  properly  and  thoroughly  drying  them ;  cutting  the 
long  hair  off  of  the  fetlock ;  allowing  the  horse  to  stand  where 
a  current  of  air  will  strike  the  heels,  from  an  open  door  or 
cracks  in  the  stable  behind  his  stall;  suffering  the  feet  to  re- 
main filled  with  dirt,  etc. ;  allowing  the  dung  and  urine  to  accu- 
mulate in  the  stable  or  stall;  allowing  the  water  from  the 
manure  to  accumulate  in  ponds  about  the  stable-door,  or  in  the 


158  NAVIJ^   ox   THE   HOESE. 

lot,  Avliere  the  horse  has  to  walk  through  it.  In  short,  any- 
thing that  will  irritate  or  chill  the  legs  of  the  horse  may  pro- 
duce scratches. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that,  if  horses  were  properly  worked 
and  properly  taken  care  of,  scratches  would  be  unknown.  It 
has  been  entirely  banished  from  cavalry  horses  in  Europe. 

Genuine  grease,  I  think,  may  be  regarded  as  infectious,  at 
least,  when  a  well  horse  is  put  in  the  same  stall  where  one 
running  grease  has  been  kept.  It  is  certainly  difficult  to  cure 
a  horse  while  standing  in  the  same  stall  he  occupied  before 
treatment  was  commenced. 

Treatment. — At  the  risk  of  repetition,  I  must  again  call  atten- 
tion to  the  importance  of  proper  management  of  the  horse,  as 
a  means  of  preventing  this  very  distressing  aifection.  Good 
stables  and  clean  lots  are  indispensable  to  the  health  of  the 
horse.  And  neglect  of  grooming  is  almost  criminal,  when  the 
horse  has  faithfully  performed  his  day  of  weary  toil,  through 
snow,  mud,  and  rain.  I  do  not  make  these  remarks  merely 
to  fill  up  space;  I  wish  them  considered  well,  and  hope  that 
they  may  be  the  means  of  arousing  many  to  the  realization 
of  their  cruel  neglect  of  man's  best  servant.  Let  those  who 
use  the  horse  only  consider  how  much  of  their  own  comfort 
depends  on  his  service,  and  I  think  their  consciences  will  re- 
strain them  in  many  an  act  of  cruel  neglect  of  him. 

The  medical  treatment  of  scratches  is  designed  to  reduce 
the  inflammation,  and  cause  the  sores  to  heal.  There  are  few 
diseases  for  wdiich  there  are  more  cures  among  horsemen 
than  for  this,  and  yet  it  is  a  disease  that  we  often  find  to  have 
continued  for  a  great  length  of  time,  and  to  have  done  great 
mischief,  notwithstanding  treatment  had  been  applied  con- 
stantly. Such  obstinacy  in  the  disease,  in  most  cases,  is 
caused  by  the  horse  still  being  left  exposed  to  the  cause  which 
produced  the  disease. 

The  following  treatment  I  have  found  the  most  satisfactory 
and  the  least  troublesome  of  any  other : 


CKACKED    HEELS — HIDE-BOUND.  159 

Take — Powdered  gum-camphor -1  ounce. 

Powdered  gum-myrrh 1  ounce. 

Sulphuric  acid 1  ounce. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Lard 1  pint. 

Mix  thoroughly,  to  form  an  ointment.  To  be  rubbed  on  the  affected  limbs 
once  a  day. 

The  legs  should  be  washed  with  hard  soapsuds  every  day, 
and  rubbed  dry  with  cloths,  before  the  medicine  is  put  on. 

Where  the  leg  is  much  swollen  and  inflamed,  and  especially 
if  there  are  sproutings  up  of  proud  flesh,  a  splendid  treatment 
is  to  make  a  poultice  of  ground  flax-seed  with  lime-water, 
and,  before  applying  it,  sprinkle  it  over  with  powdered  burnt 
alum.  Renew  the  poultice  twice  a  day.  This  is  to  be  used 
until  the  sores  look  healthy,  and  then  use  the  above  ointment. 
To  make  lime-water,  see  the  article  "Lime." 

CRACKED  HEELS. 

This  is  an  affection  of  much  the  same  nature  as  grease,  or 
scratches.  The  crack  may  be  trifling,  at  first,  in  appearance. 
The  skin  around  it  becomes  red,  swollen,  and  tender,  and  the 
swelling  may  extend  a  considerable  way  up  the  leg.  An 
offensive  discharge  takes  place  from  the  crack,  and  there  is 
much  lameness  at  times.  The  general  health  of  the  horse 
may  be  much  injured. 

Treatment. — The  same  as  for  scratches,  which  see.  But  lin- 
seed poultices  may  first  be  used  with  good  effect,  and  then  the 
ointment  used  in  scratches.  Rest  is  an  important  help  to  the 
cure. 

HIDE-BOUND. 

This  is  not  a  disease  in  itself,  but  is  rather  a  symptom,  or 
result,  of  some  other  disease,  from  which  the  horse  is  suffer- 
ing. The  skin  is  tight  on  the  body,  and  the  coat  staring.  In 
most  cases,  the  disease  which  has  caused  the  hide-bound  can 


160  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOKSE. 

be  ascertained  by  a  careful  examination  of  the  horse;  and,  of 
course,  the  proper  treatment  to  cure  that  disease,  whatever  it 
may  be,  will  cure  the  hide-bound.  Among  the  diseases  which 
are  most  likel}^  to  give  rise  to  this  trouble  may  be  mentioned 
derangement  of  the  digestive  organs,  of  the  urinary  organs, 
and  constitutional  diseases,  such  as  glanders,  farcy,  etc.  It 
is  proper  to  remark,  however,  that  hide-bound  is,  in  many 
cases  of  disease,  one  of  the  first  symptoms  to  be  observed; 
and  this  is,  undoubtedly,  one  reason  why  it  is  so  generally 
regarded  as  a  disease  itself.  Starvation  causes  hide-bound, 
and  in  this  case  it  comes  nearer  being  an  independent  disease 
than  in  any  other.  But  starvation,  or  insufficient  food,  affects 
the  general  system  as  powerfully  as  any  other  disease.  The 
fact  that  hide-bound  is  not  a  disease  can  not  be  too  strongly 
impressed  on  the  mind.  Hundreds  of  horses  have  died  while 
this  symptom  has  been  treated,  while  the  disease  itself  has 
been  entirely  overlooked. 

But  as  this  condition  of  the  horse's  skin  is  one  of  much 
importance  to  be  observed,  I  will  explain  the  princij)al  symp- 
toms by  which  it  is  known :  By  feeling  the  hide,  it  will  be 
found  that  the  trouble  is  confined  to  the  skin,  and  does  not 
affect  any  thing  deeper.  The  horse  may  be  in  fair  condition, 
and  even  the  cellular  tissue  beneath  the  skin  may  be  in  its 
naturally  soft  and  spongy  condition ;  but  the  skin  is  dry,  hard, 
and  unyielding,  and,  as  to  tightness,  is  like  the  skin  of  the 
head  or  limbs;  it  has  lost  its  oily,  elastic  character,  and  be- 
comes as  a  piece  of  dry  leather  drawn  over  the  frame  of  the 
animal;  it  is  very  hard  to  pinch  or  gather  up  with  the  hand; 
the  coat,  or  hair,  becomes  dry,  harsh,  and  staring,  and  no 
effort  of  grooming  can  give  it  its  natural,  soft,  glossy  appear- 
ance ;  the  hair  will  continue  dry,  and  the  coat  will  continue  to 
^^ stared  The  skin  and  hair  are  evidently  destitute  of  that 
oil  which  nature  has  provided  for  keeping  them  in  their  natu- 
rally soft  and  elastic  condition. 

Causes. — The  immediate  cause  of  hide-bound  is  a  drying  up 


HIDE-BOUND.  161 

and  unhealthy  condition  of  the  secretions  of  the  skin,  and 
particularly  of  those  little  glands  which  secrete  the  oil,  by 
which  the  hair  and  skin  are  kept  in  their  naturally  soft  and 
elastic  condition. 

But  the  first  and  important  cause,  as  before  stated,  is  some 
disease  by  which  the  system  has  become  deranged,  and  hide- 
bound has  taken  place  as  a  consequent  or  symptomatic  dis- 
ease. Derangement  of  the  stomach  and  digestive  organs  is 
the  most  frequent  cause.  But  constitutional  diseases,  gen- 
erally, will  produce  it — as  farcy,  glanders,  founder,  and 
consumption,  and,  particularly,  insufficient  food,  or  starva- 
tion. 

Treatment. — This  will  depend  on  the  cause  that  produced 
the  hide-bound.  A  careful  examination  of  the  horse  must  be 
made  to  ascertain  the  disease  under  which  he  is  laboring,  and 
if  that  can  be  discovered,  the  proper  treatment  for  it  Avill  cure 
the  hide-bound.  But  a  great  deal  of  good  may  be  done,  in 
any  disease  which  interferes  so  greatly  with  the  action  of  the 
skin,  by  proj)er  friction,  cleaning,  and  rubbing,  and  warmth 
of  clothing;  and  these  measures  should  be  made  use  of  whether 
the  disease  causing  the  hide-bound  can  be  ascertained  or  not.. 
But  they  must  not  be  relied  on  to  effect  the  cure. 

In  cases  where  the  disease  causing  the  hide-bound  is  ob- 
scure, or  can  not  be  ascertained,  the  following  treatment, 
should  be  pursued  until  the  disease  can  be  ascertained,  or 
until  the  coat  and  skin  become  healthy:  Rub  the  horse  welly, 
morning  and  evening,  so  as  to  keep  the  coat  clean,  and  aid  in. 
producing  warmth  of  the  skin.  Blanket  warmly.  Use  for 
this  purpose  two  blankets,  joined  along  the  back  with  tapes,, 
so  as  to  leave  a  space  of  two  inches  between  them.  This  is 
done  to  permit  the  insensible  perspiration  to  more  readily  pass 
off.     For  internal  treatment: 

Take — Flax-seed 2  quarts. 

Boiling  water 2  gallons. 

Mix  the  flax-seed  in  the  water,  and  boil  slowly  until,  when  cold,  the  mass 
11 


162  Is^AYIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

will  form  a  jelly.     In  one  tea-cupful  of  tliis  flax-seed  jelly  mix  one  tea-spoon- 
ful of  ground  ginger,  for  a  dose. 

This  dose  is  to  be  given  three  times  a  day,  mixed  in  his* 
feed,  which  should  be  bran,  or  bran  and  shorts,  or  cut  hay 
with  bran.     At  the  same  time  give 

Black  sulpliuret  of  antimony 3  drams. 

This  is  one  dose,  and  is  to  be  given  once  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

Also : 

Niter,  or  nitrate  of  potassa  (commonly  called  saltpeter) 3  drams. 

This  is  also  one  dose,  and  is  to  be  given  once  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

Either  the  antimony  or  the  niter  may  be  given  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  the  other  in  the  evening,  mixed  with  the  jelly,  to 
:save  trouble.  Or  the  following,  which  has  been  long  in  use, 
may  be  used  in  connection  with  the  flax-seed  jelly  and  ginger: 

Take— Black  antimony 2  drams. 

Niter 3  drams. 

Sulphur 4  drams. 

Mix,  for  one  dose.     To  be  given  once  a  day,  in  a  bran  mash. 

When  the  skin  begins  to  become  soft,  and  the  coat  to  regain 
:its  smoothness,  the  other  remedies  may  be  dropped  and  the 
flax-seed  jelly  and  ginger  continued,  until  the  horse  regain? 
his  health  and  condition.  Gentian  and  poplar  bark  are  sery 
iceable  in  some  cases.  A  poplar  pole  placed  in  the  horse's 
.stall  will  answer  the  purpose.  He  will  eat  as  much  of  the 
bark  as  is  necessary  for  him. 

But  the  true  course  is  to  ascertain  the  disease  which  gave 
Tise  to  this  condition,  and  make  use  of  the  proper  remedies  to 
•cure  it,  and  that  will  remove  the  hide-bound. 

STINGING  OF  INSECTS. 

By  accident,  a  horse  is  sometimes  stung  by  great  numbers 
.of  bees,  yellow-jackets,  or  hornets.      The  sting  of  these  in- 


GRUBS   BENEATH   THE    SKIN.  163 

sects  is  quite  poisonous,  and  affects  some  animals  much  more 
than  others. 

The  symptoms  attending  a  severe  case  of  stinging  are:  In- 
tense pain  and  irritation  of  the  skin ; '  a  very  high  degree  of 
inflammation  rapidly  takes  place  in  the  skin,  the  heat,  pain, 
swelling,  and  redness  being  very  great;  the  animal  becomes 
perfectly  furious,  rolls,  plunges,  and  rubs  himself  against 
every  thing  in  his  way.  If  the  stinging  has  been  bad  about 
the  face,  his  eyes  may  become  perfectly  closed  by  the  swell- 
ing, and  his  breathing,  from  swelling  of  the  nose,  greatly  ob- 
structed. Death  may  take  place  very  soon,  or  the  horse  may 
live  several  days,  and  yet  die  from  the  extensive  inflamma- 
tion. 

Treatment — The  object  is  to  neutralize  the  effects  of  the 
poison.  For  this  purpose  the  whole  surface  of  the  body 
should  be  promptly  bathed  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  fol- 
lowing articles.  Use  those  at  hand  until  others  can  be  got. 
Soda,  or  saleratus,  and  water ;  lime-water,  or  water  with  wood- 
ashes  in  it,  to  make  a  weak  lye,  or  salt  and  water.  Any  of 
these  may  be  used,  or  they  may  be  used,  one  for  awhile  and 
then  another.  Keep  the  body  well  bathed,  but  never  rub  it. 
The  following  should  be  got  as  soon  as  possible,  and  used : 

Take — Linseed  oil 1  pint. 

Lime-water 2  pints. 

Mix,  to  form  a  liniment.     To  be  used  frequently. 

GRUBS  BENEATH  THE  SKIN. 

In  some  parts  of  the  world,  a  grub,  somewhat  resembling 
that  which  is  found  under  the  skin  of  the  ox,  is  found  to  in- 
habit the  skin  of  the  horse.  This  grub  is  the  product  of  some 
species  of  gad-fly.  The  q^^  or  nit  deposited  by  the  fly 
develops  into  this  grub,  which,  when  it  has  matured,  leaves 
its  chamber  in  the  skin,  and  falls  on  the  ground,  to  undergo 
transformation  into  the  parent  fly.     These  grubs  are  not  so 


164  NAVIN   OX   THE    HORSE. 

large  as  those  found  under  the  skin  of  the  ox.  The  latter  is 
called  ^^hijjwderma  hovis^^  (skin  inhabitant  of  the  ox).  The  name 
^'- hypoderma  equi^^  (skin  inhabitant  of  the  horse)  has  been 
proposed  for  the  former.  It  does  not  exceed  an  inch  in  length 
when  mature,  while  that  of  the  ox  is  from  one  and  a  half  to 
two  inches.  This  larva  is  found  principally  on  horses  that 
have  been  at  pasture  in  July  and  August.  Its  presence 
causes  large,  indurated  knots,  of  a  conical  shape,  to  appear 
along  the  back.  If  the  hair  be  separated,  a  small  opening  or 
aperture  can  be  found,  and  a  thin  matter  squeezed  out.  In 
the  last  months  of  its  growth  the  grub  itself  may  be  squeezed 
out.  It  takes  it  ten  or  eleven  months  to  mature  in  the  skin. 
Its  presence  occasions  no  other  disease  than  the  local  tumor 
described.  Some  troublesome  itching  may  occur  in  the  last 
stage  of  the  growth  of  the  tumor. 

They  are  common  in  the  northern  part  of  France,  Belgium, 
and  Holland,  and  along  the  entire  shore  of  the  Baltic  and 
ISTorth  Sea.  The  same  treatment  used  for  the  similar  grub 
in  the  ox  is  best  for  this. 


MISCELLANEOUS  DISEASES. 

SWELLING  OF  THE  LEGS— STOCKINa. 

The  legs  of  the  horse  are  very  liable  to  be  attacked  by 
swelling.  It  occurs  much  oftener  in  the  hind-legs  than  in  the 
fore  ones.  The  extent  and  degree  of  swelling  varies  greatly, 
as  also  its  duration.  It  also  occurs  in  extremely  diiferent 
conditions  of  the  horse's  system.  The  difficulty  which  I  am 
now  treating  of  is  an  acute  inflammation  of  the  cellular  tis- 
sue of  the  legs.    There  are  other  kinds  of  swellings  attacking 


ANASARCA — DROPSY.  165 

the  legs,  but  they  will  be  understood  by  the  descriptions 
given  of  the  diseases  giving  rise  to  them. 

Symjptoms. — This  disease  is  very  sudden  in  its  appearance: 
the  horse  may  be  in  apparently  the  best  health,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  hours,  or  one  night,  swell  enormously,  from 
the  pastern  or  hoof  to  the  hough,  or  even  to  the  stifle.  But 
it  is  generally  more  gradual  in  its  approach  or  first  attacks. 
This  swelling  is  attended  by  considerable  heat  and  pain  in 
the  part,  and  a  stiffness  of  the  limb,  rather  than  lameness. 
Generally,  the  swelling  goes  down  when  the  horse  is  exercised, 
and  returns  again  on  long  standing  still.  If  the  disease  is 
suffered  to  continue,  the  horse  loses  condition,  and  it  may  run 
into  grease  or  scratches. 

Causes. — Soft-footed  horses,  by  standing  too  much  on  their 
feet,  are  apt  to  stock. 

Treatment. — If  the  horse  will  lie  down,  when  at  rest,  no 
other  treatment  is  necessary.  If  the  inflammation  is  quite 
high,  and  the  horse  will  not  lie  down,  he  should  be  made  to 
stand  in  cold  water  every  evening  for  about  half  an  hour, 
and  the  feet  should  be  stopped  at  night  with  wet,  tough  clay, 
to  keep  them  cool ;  or  the  legs  may  be  frequently  washed  with 
a  solution  of  tincture  of  arnica. 


ANASARCA— DROPSY. 

The  horse  is  liable  to  a  dropsical  swelling  of  the  legs,  which 
may  extend  up  to  the  body  and  along  the  belly,  and  consider- 
able distance  up  on  the  chest.  It  is  known  by  the  character 
of  the  swelling,  showing  that  it  is  caused  by  the  presence  of 
watery  fluid  in  the  soft  or  cellular  parts  of  the  flesh.  If  the 
part  swollen  be  pressed  on  by  the  thumb  for  some  time,  a  pit 
or  depression  will  remain  for  several  seconds  before  it  will 
again  become  level. 

There  are  several  causes  which  may  give  rise  to  this  difiS- 
culty.     It  may  occur  m  the  progress  of  other  diseases,  as  farcy, 


166  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

glanders,  and  some  eruptive  diseases ;  a  very  poor  condition 
of  the  blood,  as  follows  a  heavy  loss  of  it,  may  cause  dropsi- 
cal swelling;  or  feebleness,  from  whatever  cause.  A  form  of 
this  disease  occurs  sometimes  in  mares  that  are  with  foal, 
generally  attributed  to  pressure  on  the  veins.  I  do  not  think 
this  is  the  cause  of  the  difficulty.  I  have  seen  many  such 
cases.  They  have  occurred  so  frequently  some  years,  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  as  to  almost  warrant  the  conclusion  that  it 
may  prevail  as  an  epidemic.  I  regard  the  cause  as  constitu- 
tional— existing  in  the  blood;  but  what  the  change  of  that  fluid 
is,  and  how  connected  with  the  peculiar  condition  of  the  mare, 
I  am  not  able  to  say.  It  has  generally  proved  fatal  to  mares 
here. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  this  disease  must  always  have 
reference  to  the  cause  that  produced  it.  If  it  occurs  during  the 
progress  of  other  diseases,  the  proper  treatment  for  the  other 
disease  will  remove  the  anasarca.  If  it  is  caused  by  the  loss 
of  blood,  moderate  exercise,  good,  healthy  food,  and  proper 
stabling  and  grooming  are  probably  all  that  is  necessary.  Some 
of  the  preparations  named  in  "Indigestion"  may  be  given  with 
benefit.  Where  it  is  the  result  of  debility,  such  measures  as 
will  best  restore  the  declining  strength  of  the  horse  will  be 
necessary.  Medicines  to  act  mildly  on  the  kidneys  will  do 
much  good. 

LYMPHATITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  lympliatic  vessels  and  glands 
of  the  limb  or  limbs  affected.  For  a  description  of  these,  see 
the  article  headed  "Lymphatics."  It  is  sometimes  known  by 
*^e  name  of  iveed^  feltlcJc,  tkick-leg^  water-farmj,  shot,  grease, 

ilk-leg,  etc. 

The  following  description  is  from  Surgeon  Haycock : 

"The  disease,  for  the  most  part,  commences  with  a  shivering 
fit,  though,  in  many  cases,  its  existence  may  be  so  slight  and 


LYMPHATITIS.  167 

its  duration  so  short  as  not  to  be  observed  by  any  except  a 
careful  observer.  Generally,  the  attack  is  sudden ;  the  owner, 
or  servant  in  care,  may  go  now,  as  it  were,  out  of  the  stable, 
and  leave  his  horse,  to  all  appearance,  perfectly  well,  and  upon 
returning,  in  an  hour  hence,  he  will  find  him  standing  upon 
three  legs,  while  the  fourth  will  be  flexed,  (raised),  and  held 
high  from  the  ground.  The  pulse  will  vary  in  its  beats  accord- 
ing to  the  intensity  of  the  attack,  rarely,  however,  beating  less 
than  fifty  or  more  than  one  hundred  per  minute,  while  the  res- 
piration may  be  fifteen  or  twenty,  or  even  forty,  in  the  same 
interval  of  time.  If  the  affected  limb  be  examined,  it  will  be 
found  hot  and  swollen,  and  tender  if  pressed  upon,  which 
symptoms,  for  many  hours,  will  gradually  increase  in  intensity. 
■  Soon  after  commencement,  a  number  of  vessels  may  be  seen 
running  across  the  limb,  in  various  directions,  of  about  the 
thickness  of  a  quill;  they  are  the  most  numerous,  however, 
upon  the  inner  surface  of  the  leg,  where  they  appear  to  termi- 
nate in  round  or  irregularly  formed  masses,  which  masses  are 
acutely  tender  if  squeezed  w^ith  the  hand.  These  prominent 
vessels  are  the  inflamed  lymphatics,  and  the  prominent  masses 
referred  to  are  the  inflamed  lymphatic  glands.  Sometimes  the 
swelling  extends  from  the  junction  of  the  limb  with  the  body 
down  to  the  very  foot;  at  other  times  it  only  reaches  down  to 
the  hough ;  and,  when  very  severe,  a  sort  of  dew  exudes  from 
the  skin  and  lies  upon  the  hair. 

"The  coarser  the  breed  and  the  older  the  animal,  the  greater 
the  liability  to  lymphatitis.  Young,  coarse-bred  horses  are 
also  very  prone  to  it,  particularly  if  highly  fed  and  under- 
worked; but  in  the  young  horse,  the  disease,  in  the  majority 
of  cases,  if  not  in  all,  quickly  runs  its  course,  and  the  afflicted 
limb  becomes  in  time  perfectly  restored ;  and,  if  due  precau- 
tion be  taken,  the  malady  may  not  again  manifest  itself,  at 
least  for  years  to  come;  while,  in  the  old  horse,  the  diseased 
limb  is  seldom  or  never  reduced ;  it  remains  permanently  thick- 
ened, and  the  animal  is  extremely  liable  to  have  acute  or  sub- 


168  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

acute  attacks  of  the  same  disease  periodically.  In  the  majority 
of  cases,  again,  its  action  is  usually  confined  to  a  hind-leg,  and 
that  on  the  left  side.  Sometimes  both  limbs  are  affected,  but 
never,  that  I  have  seen,  very  acutely  at  the  same  time ;  and 
the  left  limb  might  be  attacked,  and  some  time  afterward  the 
right  one,  but  never  both  limbs  simultaneously." 

He  regards  as  predisposing  causes  coarse  and  peculiar  food, 
too  nutritious  and  too  great  quantities  of  such  food,  previous 
attacks,  old  age,  and  changing  from  a  poor  to  a  rich  diet.  The 
immediate  or  exciting  causes  are,  heavy  blows  on  the  limb, 
severe  scratches  and  cuts,  sudden  overexertion,  working  the 
horse  in  water  or  wet  ground,  the  sudden  checking  of  accus- 
tomed discharges,  as  grease,  thrush,  etc.,  and  the  sudden  check- 
ing of  perspiration. 

Treatment. — If  the  case  is  very  bad,  it  will  be  well  to  bleed 
six  or  eight  quarts  at  the  commencement.  But  this  is  not 
generally  required.     Then  give  the  following: 

Take— Sulphur 2  ounces. 

Saltpeter 2  ounces. 

Black  antimony 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  table-spoonful  of  the  powder  three  times  a  day,  ia  a 
drench. 

It  would  do  well  to  begin  the  treatment  with  a  cooling  physic. 
A  solution  of  tincture  of  arnica  may  be  often  applied  to  the 
affected  part.  The  limb  should  be  wrapped  and  the  bandage 
kept  wet  with  the  solution, 

BIG-HEAD. 

This  remarkable  disease  is  characterized  by  a  hard  swelling 
on  the  horse's  face,  on  a  direct  line  from  the  eye  to  the  nos- 
tril. This  disease  seems  not  to  be  known  in  Europe,  nor  in 
the  Eastern  States  to  any  considerable  extent.  It  has  com- 
mitted great  havoc,  at  different  times,  in  some  parts  of  the 


BIG-HEAD.  169 

West.  What  I  shall  be  able  to  present  with  regard  to  it  or 
the  result  of  my  own  observation  and  experience  on  the  disease 
since  in  the  West,  and  what  I  have  gathered  from  my  inter- 
views with  a  veterinary  surgeon  of  skill,  who  has  practiced 
many  years  in  the  West,  and  the  light  thrown  on  the  subject 
by  Mason,  in  his  small  work. 

SipniJtoms. — The  first  symptoms  that  will  be  observed  are 
debility,  loss  of  appetite,  and  indisposition  to  move  about.  In 
this  stage  of  the  case,  the  true  character  of  the  disease  may 
not  be  suspected.  A  slight  weeping,  either  of  one  or  both  eyes, 
according  as  the  disease  is  going  to  manifest  itself  on  one  or 
both  sides  of  the  face,  will  be  observed  early  in  the  attack. 
Pretty  soon  a  swelling,  small  at  first,  but  gradually  increasing 
in  size,  and  quite  hard,  will  be  observed  on  the  face,  on  a  line 
from  the  eye  to  the  nostril,  and  about  half  way  between  them. 
If  this  tumor  be  pressed  hard,  it  causes  the  horse  to  wince, 
showing  that  it  is  tender  and  painful,  but  if  rubbed  gently  with 
the  hand  it  appears  to  give  ease.  The  lower  jaw-bone  will  next 
be  observed  to  be  becoming  enlarged,  or  apparently  thickened 
near  the  union  of  the  two  sides,  that  is,  under  the  chin.  The 
appetite  continues  poor,  a  great  degree  of  stiffness  is  present, 
and  the  horse  loses  flesh  quite  rapidly.  If  the  disease  continues, 
the  head  becomes  enormously  swollen;  the  joints  swell,  or  be- 
come putfed,  as  if  blown  with  wind,  but,  in  a  short  time,  this 
pufiiness  is  replaced  by  matter,  or  pus,  which  breaks  through 
the  skin,  and  discharges  as  it  gathers.  The  horse  becomes 
unable  to  stand,  and  falls,  to  rise  no  more  without  help.  There 
is  but  little  or  no  fever,  at  least  of  an  active  character,  during 
the  progress  of  the  disease. 

Causes. — As  to  this,  nothing  is  really  known.  It  is  supposed 
to  be  infectious,  in  the  last  stage  of  the  disease,  after  abscesses 
about  the  joints  have  formed  and  broken.  It  is  the  bone  of 
the  nose  which  first  becomes  afibcted,  or,  at  least,  its  perios- 
teum. 


170  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  which  I  place  the  most  confidence 
in,  is  the  following : 

Take— Sulphur 4  ounces. 

Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

White  hellebore 1  ounce. 

Mix    and  five  one  tea-spoonfal  of  the  powder  three  times  a  day,  in  his 
feed,  which  should  be  ground  or  cut  feed,  such  as  he  will  eat. 

Use  the  following  local  application  to  the  swelling: 

Take— Tincture  of  cantharides 2  ounces. 

Corrosive  sublimate 1  dram. 

Aqua  ammonia 2  ounces. 

Oil  of  hemlock 1  ounce. 

Mix,  and  rub  on  the  swelling  twice  a  day,  until  it  blisters. 

After  the  blister  has  dried  up,  grease  it  thoroughly  with  lard, 
to  take  the  scab  off;  then  blister  again  with  the  liniment  as  be- 
fore, until  the  swelling  is  reduced.  The  internal  medicine  must 
be  continued  until  the  horse  is  perfectly  well.  The  above 
treatment  is  eifectual,  and  will  leave  no  mark  nor  blemish. 

The  following  is  a  less  troublesome  course,  in  some  particu- 
lars, and  has  been  pursued  with  success.     Make  an  incision  in 
the  skin,  over  the  tumor,  of  sufficient  size,  and  insert  in  it  a 
lump  of  white  arsenic  the  size  of  a  field-pea,  or  an  equal  quan- 
tity of  the  powder  wrapped  in  paper,  and  close  the  skin  over  it 
by  a  stitch.     Very  great  inflammation  and  considerable  de- 
struction of  the  parts  will  follow.     In  a  month  or  six  weeks, 
the  part  affected  by  the  medicine  will  become  circumscribed, 
and,  in  about  the  same  length  of  time  again,  will  have  sloughed 
out,  leaving  a  ghastly  sore,  but  very  healthy  in  its  character, 
notwithstanding  much  of  the  spongy  bone  may  have  been  taken 
out.     It  is  then  only  necessary  to  heal  the  wound.     This  can 
be  done  by  the  applications  usually  recommended  for  such  pur- 
poses.    Any  simple  ointment  will  answer  the  purpose.     During 
the  treatment,  the  horse  should  be  turned  on  grass,  or  kept  in 
a  clean,  cool  stable,  and  lightly  fed. 


SKELETOX   OF   THE    HORSE. 


171 


SKELETON  OF  THE  HORSE. 


A,  The  lower  part  of  the  jaw-bone.      Here  the  submaxillary  gland  and  the  pulse  are 
located. 

a,  The  upper  part  of  the  jaw-bone. 

JB,  The  cervical  vertebra?,  or  bones  of  the  neck,  seven  in  number. 

d,  The  skull  and  face. 

e,  The  parietal  bone,  or  upper  bone  of  the  head. 
/,  The  point  of  the  nasal  or  nose-bones. 

1,  The  five  dorsal  vertebrre,  or  bones  of  the  withers. 

2,  The  next  eight  or  forward  spines  of  the  vertebrae.    They  stand  upright. 

3,  The  last  five  of  the  bones  of  the  back,  which  incline  forward. 

4,  The  six  last  bones  of  the  lumbar  or  back ;  in  all,  twenty-three. 

5,  The  five  transverse  or  cross  projections,  forming  the  width  of  the  loins. 

6,  The  five  sacrum  or  haunch  (some  call   them   rump)  bones,  leaving  a  space  for  the 
hinge  of  both  hind  limbs. 

7,  The  fifteen  coxygeal  or  tail-bones. 

b,  The  attachment  of  the  masseter  or  great  muscle  of  the  jaw  is  inserted. 
G,  The  scapula  or  shoulder-blade. 

If,  The  sternum  or  breast-bone. 

J,   The  humerus  or  arm-bone. 

K  K,  The  radius,  or  bone  of  the  forearm  above  the  knee. 

L,  The  ulna  or  point  of  the  elbow. 


172  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

M  M,  Carpus  or  knee-joint,  consisting  of  two  rows  of  bones. 

K  H",  Cannon,  the  shank  or  shin-bones;  also,  the  splint-bones  behind. 

g  ff,  The  upper  and  lower  pastern-bones  which  rest  on  the  coffin-bones  below,  one 
ehowing  the  hoof  on. 

h  h,  The  hind  pasterns,  no  hoof  on,  but  one  showing  the  lamellse. 

T  T,  The  hind  cannon  or  shank,  showing  the  splint-bones  behind. 

S  S,  The  hough  joint,  showing  the  asti-agalus  or  hough-bone,  the  oscalcis  or  tip  of 
the  hough,  and  the  two  rows  of  joint-bones. 

R  R,  The  tibia  or  leg-bone  between  the  hough  and  the  femoral  or  th'gh-bone,  called 
femurs. 

Q,  The  stifles,  coi-respouding  to  the  knee-cap  of  a  man.  They  are  out  of  place,  to 
show  their  shape. 

P  P,  The  femoral  femurs  or  upper  thigh-bones. 

0,  The  pelvis,  or  bones  forming  the  haunch,  receiving  the  upper  end  of  the  femur 
into  its  socket,  and  hinging  with  the  back  or  spinal  vertebrte  between  figures  4  and  6. 

S,  Under  and  back  of  this  letter  is  the  ischium,  being  the  part  into  which  the  thigh- 
bone works. 

/  /,  The  ribs  fast  by  a  hinge  to  the  back  or  vertebral  column,  and  joined  by  a  cartil- 
age, at  their  lower  ends,  and  the  cartilage  ends  in  the  sternum  or  breast-bone. 


SUEGIOAL  DISEASES  AND  INJUEIES. 

In  this  part  of  the  work  I  shall  treat  of  those  ailments 
which  require  operative  interference  in  their  treatment. 
They  embrace  those  diseases  which  result  in  the  change  of 
the  solid  parts  of  the  system,  and  require,  principally,  other 
means  than  the  internal  administration  of  medicines  for  their 
cure ;  also,  wounds,  bruises,  tumors,  broken  bones,  dislocation 
of  joints,  and  sprains.  This  embraces  a  most  extensive  part 
of  veterinary  practice,  and  in  which  the  skill  of  the  horse 
doctor  is  subjected  to  a  severe  test.  He  may  make  blunders 
in  giving  medicine,  and  none  can  know  it,  but  he  can  not  get 
off  so  easily  where  all  can  see  what  he  is  doing.  It  requires 
a  clear  head  and  steady  hand  to  be  able  to  succeed  well  in 
this  branch  of  the  veterinary  art.  There  are  many  things  to 
be  taken  into  consideration  in  every  case  j^resented.  The 
first  is,  to  ascertain  the  exact  nature  and  extent  of  the  injury; 


CONTEACTIOX,    OR   HOOF- BOUND.  173 

second,  whether,  under  the  circumstances,  it  can  be  benefited 
by  treatment ;  third,  whether  it  will  justify  the  expense  to  be 
incurred ;  fourth,  the  exact  means  to  be  made  use  of  in  the 
case.  All  these  points  should  be  clearly  determined  before 
proceeding  with  the  case. 

It  is  an  object  to  avoid  blemishing  the  horse  as  much  as 
possible.  Some  surgeons  forget  this,  and  use  measures  which 
leave  permanent  blemishes,  when  a  little  more  time  or 
expense  would  accomplish  the  object  without  any  blemish. 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  FEET. 

CONTK ACTION,  OR  HOOF- BOUND. 

Contraction  is  a  wiring  in,  or  drawing  in,  of  the  heels  of 
the  crust  or  wall  of  the  hoof ;  the  hoof  becoming  more  erect, 
the  lower  border  smaller  in  circumference,  and  the  fi'og 
diminished  in  breadth. 

Symiitoms. — The  above  descrij^tion  will  generally  enable 
the  observer  to  tell  when  contraction  is  present.  It  may 
occur  in  either  or  both  of  the  fore-feet.  When  hoof-bound 
comes  on  fast,  it  is  always  accompanied  with  lameness.  There 
is  generally  some  lameness  at  the  commencement,  even  when 
it  comes  on  slow ;  in  other  cases,  however,  it  is  absent,  and 
generally  absent  when  the  case  is  of  long  standing.  When 
the  lameness  is  severe,  the  horse  exhibits  uneasiness  in 
standing,  places  the  lame  foot  forward,  in  atrophy  of  the 
muscles.  Sweeny  does  so,  but  puts  the  heel  on  the  ground, 
and,  in  contraction,  the  toe ;  or,  as  it  is  said,  points  with  it ; 
or,  if  both  feet  are  afi^ected,  he  first  points  with  one,  and  then 
with  the  other,  with  the  heel  raised.  He  experiences  much 
difficulty  in  moving ;  raises  the  foot  but  little  off  the  ground 


174  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

as  he  walks  or  trots.  His  step  is  short,  quick,  and  light. 
The  least  irregularity  of  the  ground  bothers  him  very  much, 
causing  him  to  trip,  or  even  stumble,  especially  in  going 
down  hill.  On  examination  of  the  foot,  it  may  show  a 
general  state  of  contraction,  but  generally  only  across  the 
quarters,  or  at  the  heels  ;  and  when  the  contraction  is  of  the 
heels,  the  uj)per  borders  at  the  coronet,  the  middle  or  the 
lower  border  may  be  the  point  of  greatest  contraction.  Only 
one  heel,  and  generally  the  inner  one,  may  be  wired  in,  or 
both,  but  the  inner  one  the  most.  As  before  stated,  one 
or  both  fore-feet  may  be  aifected.  The  sole  will  be 
unnaturally  concave  or  hollowed,  and,  in  recent  cases,  heat 
and  tenderness  may  be  observed  about  the  hoof. 

Causes. — Few  difficulties  to  which  the  horse  is  subject  have 
more  causes  than  contraction;  and  as  these  are  generally 
such  as  proper  management  will  prevent,  I  shall  explain 
them  at  considerable  length.  It  is  certainly  better  for  a 
farmer  to  spend  an  hour  in  learning  the  causes  of  hoof-bound, 
and  how  to  avoid  them,  than  to  have  one  case  occur  among 
his  horses  which  he  could  have  prevented. 

A  low  grade  of  inflammation  or  irritation  in  the  foot,  not 
amounting  to  acute  founder,  is  a  very  common  cause  of 
contraction.  This  irritation  may  be  produced  by  various 
causes,  but  by  none  more  frequently  than  inaction  and  high 
feeding,  which  bring  on  a  feverish  state  of  the  blood,  and  the 
feet  being  the  furthest  removed  from  the  heart,  the  blood  has 
a  natural  tendency  to  flow  to  them.  This  producing  of  founder 
or  irritation  of  the  foot  by  overfeeding  has  some  analogy  or 
resemblance  to  gout  in  the  human. 

Want  of  proper  moisture  is  another  very  common  cause. 
Farmers'  horses,  that  are  worked  every  day,  are  not  very 
subject  to  it,  nor  young  horses  on  pasture.  But  horses  that 
are  stabled,  should  always  have  their  feet  "filled,"  as  it  is 
called.  A  piece  of  thick  felt,  or  old  hat,  cut  to  fit  the  foot,  and 
soaked  in  water,  is  the  best  filling. 


COXTRACTIOX,    OR   HOOF- BOUND.  175 

Thrush  (which  see)  may  cause  contraction,  but  it  is  much 
more  frequently  a  consequence  of  it. 

The  cutting  away  of  the  bars,  which  some  smiths  seem  to 
have  such  an  itch  for,  is  a-  fruitful  source  of  contraction. 
TsTature  intended  these  as  braces  or  stays  to  the  foot. 

A  neglect  of  proper  paring  of  the  hoof  burdens  it  with  a 
large  amount  of  dry,  contracting  horn,  which  prevents  its  free 
motions  and  disposes  to  contraction.  In  the  state  of  nature 
the  horse  wears  off  these  useless  parts,  but  when  domesti- 
cated, (tamed),  he  is  often  deprived  of  the  necessary  action, 
and  hence  we  must  resort  to  artificial  means  of  effectino* 
the  object.  In  paring  the  hoof  we  should  imitate  nature. 
Remove  such  parts  only  as  naturally  have  a  tendency  to 
come  off. 

Improper  shoeing  is  among  the  common  causes  of  hoot- 
bound.  But  this  subject  demands  so  much  attention,  that  I 
must  refer  the  reader  to  the  article  on  "Shoeing"  in  this 
work,  stating,  however,  that  the  proper  preparation  of  the 
foot  for  the  shoe  is  a  very  important  matter.  Every  owner 
should  know  how  his  horse  ought  to  be  shod. 

Treatment. — Iso  ailment  to  which  the  horse  is  liable  requires 
more  careful  reference  to  the  cause  that  gave  rise  to  it  than 
contraction.  If  it  is  the  result  of  any  other  disease  of  the  foot, 
treat  that  disease;  if  of  bad  management  in  any  way,  correct 
the  evil;  if  of  bad  shoeing,  have  the  shoes  removed  and  better 
ones  put  on.  But  something  may  be  done,  in  most  cases,  to 
relieve  the  trouble,  and  the  mischief  likely  to  follow  long 
contraction  renders  it  necessary  to  attend  to  the  case  early. 

The  following  course  of  treatment  will  cure  hoof-bound  in 
a  comparatively  short  time : 

The  hoof  should  be  neatly  and  well  pared  down;  all  dead 
horn  removed  from  the  sole,  and  the  w^all  thinned  by  rasping. 
A  shoe,  long  and  wide  at  the  heels,  with  out  calkins  or  corks 
should  be  put  on,  and  then  spread  out  at  the  heels  by  placing 
the  jaws  of  the  smith's  tongs  between  the  heels  of  the  shoe 


176  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

and  spreading  the  handles  apart.     The  entire  hoof  should  be 
well  soaked  with  the  following  liniment,  twice  a  day: 

Take — Linseed  oil 4  ounces. 

Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

Oil  of  spike 2  ounces. 

Aqua  ammonia 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  shake  well  before  using. 

The  shoe  should  be  removed  every  three  weeks.  The  horse 
should  stand  on  soft  ground. 

SAND-CRACK,  OR  SPLIT-HOOF. 

Sand-crack  is  a  crack  in  the  wall  of  the  hoof,  running  in  the 
direction  of  its  grain,  or  up  and  down,  occurring  either  at  the 
quarters  or  at  the  toe.  The  former  is  sometimes  called 
quarter-crack;  the  latter,  toe-crack — quarter-crack  most  fre- 
quently occurring  in  the  fore-feet,  and  at  the  inner  quarter; 
toe  crack  in  the  hind  feet.  The  crack  may  commence  at  the 
lower  border  of  the  wall  or  tread,  and  extend  but  a  little  way 
up  it ;  or  it  may  neither  reach  the  coronet  nor  the  lower 
border ;  or  it  may  extend  the  full  length  of  the  hoof,  from  the 
coronet  to  the  lower  border  or  tread.  It  also  may  vary  in 
depth ;  sometimes  seen  only  part  of  the  way  through  the  wall, 
and,  in  other  cases,  entirely  through,  completely  separating  the 
wall  from  the  coronet  to  the  tread. 

Symptoms. — The  simple  description  above  given  will  enable 
any  person  to  tell  a  case  of  split-hoof,  and  whether  it  is  toe- 
crack  or  quarter-crack,  and  also  the  length  of  the  crack ;  but, 
to  determine  the  depth,  a  more  careful  examination  is  necessary. 
Each  side  of  the  crack  should  be  pared  away  until  the  depth  is 
ascertained,  for  the  treatment  to  be  adopted  depends  mainly  on 
tlie  depth  of  the  crack. 

If  the  crack  goes  through  the  wall  there  may  be  considerable 
lameness,  and  bloody  matter  may  ooze  out  through  the  split. 
Fungus  or  proud-flesh  may  also  shoot  up  from  the  sensitive 
parts  below  in  the  hoof. 


SAXD-CRACK,    OR   SPLIT-HOOF.  177 

Gravel  and  sand  should  be  carefully  looked  for  and  removed 
while  making  the  examination. 

Sand-crack,  when  ne-Iected,  may  give  rise  to  quitter 
Causes.-Theve  can  scarcely  be  any  doubt  that  a  brittleness 
ot  the  hoof,  either  naturally  existing,  or  the  result  of  disease  or 
bad  management,  is  the  main  cause  of  the  hoof  splittino-.  But 
the  immediate  cause  is  a  severe  strain  or  jar  on  the  hoof  The 
cause  of  its  occurrence  in  the  inner  quarter  of  the  fo--foot 
most  frequently  is,  that  it  is  more  directly  exposed  to  the 
weight,  and  is  also  thinner  than  the  outer. 

The  toe  of  the  hind-foot  is  put  on  great  strain  when  the 
horse  is  pulling  a  heavy  load,  or  moving  rapidly,  for  the  hind- 
feet  are   chiefly  concerned  in  propelling  or  forcing  the  horse 
forward,  and  the  principal  strain  is  thrown  on  the  toe 
^  Bad  shoeing  is  a  cause  of  split-hoof  that  must  not  be  lost 
sight  of.     If  the  heels  of  the  shoe  are  brought  in  close  together 
It  will  throw  great  strain  on  the  quarters,  and  particularly  if 
high  corks  are  turned  on  them.     A  weak  place  or  flaw  in  the 
shoe,  or  if  It  fits  unevenly,  may  cause  a  crack  or  split  in  the 
hoof.      A   broken   shoe    is   very   dangerous.      Breakino-    the- 
coronary  ring  causes  a  crack  that  will  not  join  for  life 

Treatment.—F^re  out  each  side  of  the  crack  nearly  to  the 
quick.     If  proud  flesh  is  sprouting  up,  apply  powdered  burnt 
alum  to  It  until  it  is  removed.     Then  apply  balsam  of  fir  alona- 
the  crack.     Then  it  is  ready  to  be  drawn  together,  so  that  the' 
new  horn,  as  it  is  formed,  will  be  solid.     For  this  purpose  drill 
a  hole  through  the  hoof,  across  the  crack,  starting  the  hole  far- 
enough  from  the  crack  not  to  let  the  drill  touch  the  sensitive' 
parts  of  the  foot.    The  drill  should  come  out  about  the  same 
distance  from  the  opposite  side  of   the  crack.     If  the  crack 
IS  m  the  toe,  three  holes  should  be  drilled  across  it.     The  first 
should  be  about  an.  inch  from  the  hair,  the  second  half  way 
between  it  and  the  lower  one.  which  should  be  an  inch  from  the 
ower  end  of  the  crack.     A  strong  piece  of  wire  is  to  be  driven 
through  each  of  these  holes,  and  then  a  piece  of  tough  wire  is 


178  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

to  be  passed,  first  over  one  end  of  the  rivet,  and  then  over  the 
other,  several  turns  being  made,  and  then  the  ends  twisted 
together.  By  this  means  the  crack  is  brought  firmly  together. 
Tlte  bar  shoe  should  then  be  put  on,  which  should  be  scalloped 
out  under  the  crack  so  that  that  part  of  the  hoof  will  not  rest 
on  it.  A  coat  of  pitch  should  then  bo  put  over  the  hoof,  to 
still  further  protect  the  parts,  and  strengthen  the  wall  of 
the  foot.  Two  rivets  are  enough  for  quarter-crack,  and  the 
nails  on  each  side  of  the  crack  should  stand  away  from  it, 
so  that,  when  clinched,  they  will  have  a  tendency  to  draw 
the  crack  together. 

FALSE  QUARTER. 

When  the  coronary  substance,   or  ligament,  is  bruised  or 

divided,  the  horn  will  be  divided  as  it  grows  down,  presenting 

,a  split  in  the  hoof  like  sand-crack,  or  one  edge  may  overlap  the 

<other.     This  is  known  by  the  name  of  false  quarter,  a  name 

which  I  should  like  to  see  changed  for  a  better  one.     Another 

form  of  this  malady  is,  when  the  part  of  the  coronary  substance 

injured  secretes  horn  of  a  weaker  character  and  different  color, 

forming  a  streak  down  the  hoof.     In  this  case,  the  weaker  part 

will  be  more  liable  to  sand-crack. 

Symj)toms.— An  examination  of  this  case  is  mainly  for  the 
■purpose  of  ascertaining  the  extent  of  injury  to  the  coronary 
substance,  for  this  must  be  restored  to  a  healthy  condition 
before  the  crack  in  the  crust  will  unite;  or,  rather,  before 
the  wall  will  be  formed  entire  or  perfect. 

The  opening  in  the  crust,  as  well  as  the  cut,  or  injured  part 
:at  the  coronet,  must  be  carefully  examined,  and  any  sand, 
gravel,  or  any  other  foreign  substance  that  may  have  got  in, 

removed. 

Lameness,  of  a  .more  or  less  severe  character,  is  a  frequent 

.accompaniment  of  false  quarter. 

Causes.— Any  thing  that  will  injure  the  coronary  substance 
which  secretes,  or  throws  out,  the  horn  of  the  wall,  may  cause 


RIXG-BOXE.  J  79 

false  quarter.  Tread,  neglected,  often  causes  it,  but  much 
oftener  the  caustics,  (burning  medicines),  used  by  some  farriers 
and  Ignorant  pretenders,  in  treating  tread. 

Treatment— The  object  is  to  cause  the  divided  coronary 
substance  to  unite,  or  to  cause  it  to  throw  out  healthy  horn 
The  split  in  the  quarter  must  be  held  together  by  the  same 
means  recommended  in  sand-crack,  or  split-hoof.  The  coronet 
at  the  injured  part,  should  be  moderately  touched  with  a 
heated  round  or  flat  iron.  This  will  be  more  likely  to  cause  it 
to  form  a  perfect  wall  than  any  amount  of  blistering  or  burn- 
ing with  caustics.  After  the  firing,  a  poultice  of  linseed  meal 
may  be  applied  for  some  days,  to  heal  the  burn  kindly  and 
keep  the  parts  soft. 


RING-BONE. 


A  deposit  of  bony  matter,  taking  place  either  on  or  near  the 
pastern-bone,  has   received  the  name  of  ring-bone.     And    as 
very  foolish  notions  prevail  with  regard  to  this  malady,  I  shall 
be  somewhat  particular  in  explaining  its  origin.     As  has  been 
more  than  once  remarked,  all  the  free  surfaces  (outsides)  of  the 
bones  are  covered  by  a  thin,  whitish,  and  exceedingly  touo-h 
membrane,  called  the  periosteum.     The  joints  are  also  firmly 
bound  together  by  firm  bands  or  straps,  called  ligaments.     JN^ow 
when  the  periosteum,  or  ligaments,  about  the  pastern  are  ex' 
posed  to  the  proper  causes,  a  new  process,  called  ossification, 
(the  tormation  of  bone),  commences  in  them,  and  as  this  ex 
tends  the  covering  of  the  bone,  the  ligaments,  and  even  the 
muscles  about  the  part,  are  changed  into  a  mass  of  spono-y 
bone,  which  is  firmly  attached  to  the  pastern-bone,  as  if  a  p^/t 

This  bony  tumor  may  nearly,  or  quite,  encircle  ihe  end  of  the 
pastern-bone,  forming  a  ring,  and  hence  its  name;  or  it  may 
extend  only  part  of  the  way  around,  or  appear  only  as  a  bony 
tumor  at  one  side  or  the  other,  or  on  the  coronet-bone,  under 


180  XAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

the  coronary  ring.  It  may  extend  mucli  further  than  this, 
however,  even  to  the  fetlock-joint,  and  produce  stiffness  of  it. 
Stiffness,  called  anchylosis,  of  the  pastern  and  coffin-joints,  are 
common  results  of  ring-bone.  _  ^ 

From  the  foregoing  explanation,  it  will  be  seen  how  ridicu- 
lous many  of  the'^cures  often  recommended  for  this  disease  are. 
And,  not  only  so,  but  how  absurd  some  of  the  notions  enter- 
tained  of  it  are.  For  example,  Dr.  Dadd  tells  us  of  a  writer 
in  New  England,  who  says:  "King-bone  is ^ fed  by  a  bladder, 
situated  at  the  posterior  parts  of  the  tumor." 

Symptoms.— li  is  generally  no  difacult  matter  to  satisfy  one's 
self  of  the  existence  of  ring-bone.  The  eye  or  the  hand  will  be 
quite  sufficient  to  detect  it,  even  though  the  deposit  of  bone 
should  be  very  slight.  But  the  extent  to  which  the  joints  may 
be  involved  may  require  more  care,  and  on  this  may  depend 
considerable;  for,  though  a  horse  may  not  be  entirely  worthless 
that  has  ring-bone,  some  would  be  a  dear  bargain  at  nothing, 
while  it  might  justify  to  pay  a  small  price  for  others. 

There  is  always  more  or  less  impediment  in  the  motions  of 
the  joints  of  the  pastern  and  foot,  but  not  always  what  might 
be  termed  positive  lameness,  though,  in  some  cases,  there  is 
very  great  lameness;  and  necessarily  so,  when  the  tumor  has 
become  large  and  the  joints  stiffened,  or  when  the  disease  has 
attacked  a  tendon,  as  it  sometimes  does.     Also,  in  the  earlier 
stages  of  the  disease,  when  the  parts  are  irritated  or  inflamed, 
before  they  have  accommodated  themselves  to  the  new  condi- 
tion of  things,  lameness  is  to  be  expected.     Heat  and  tender- 
ness will  also  be  found  when  the  inflammation  is  considerable. 
Caw5^5.— These  may  be  considered  under  the  heads  of  pre- 
disposing causes,  or  such  as  render  the  horse  liable  to  have 
ring-bone,  and  exciting  causes,  or  such  as  immediately  bring  on 

the  attack. 

Of  the  predisposing  causes,  hereditary  influence  may  be  re- 
garded first  in  importance.  The  colts  of  a  ring-boned  sire  or 
dam  will  most  certainly  be  more  liable  to  it  than  those  of  sound 


RIXG-BONE.  181 

parents.  Horses  having  a  rheumatic  constitution,  such  as  are 
liable  to  founder,  are  predisposed  to  ring-bone;  for  it  is  no  less 
true  among  horses  than  among  men,  that  such  constitutions  are 
peculiarly  liable  to  ossifications,  or  deposits  of  bone  in  and 
about  other  parts. 

Form  is  another  thing  to  be  taken  into  account.  An  upright 
pastern  is  much  more  likely  to  be  affected  vrith  ring-bone  than 
an  oblique  one,  for  the  weight  is  thrown  more  directly  on  the 
top  of  the  bones,  and  jars  or  concussions  are  very  liable  to 
be  the  result.  Upright  pasterns  lose  the  advantage  of  that 
elasticity  or  spring,  which  nature  intended  in  making  consider- 
able oblicpiity,  or  slant,  the  type  or  pattern.  As  we  have  sev- 
eral times  had  occasion  to  remark  the  ingenious  contrivances  of 
nature  to  prevent  concussion,  so  we  may  here  say  that  in  the 
long,  oblique  pastern,  this  object  seems  to  be  peculiarly  accom- 
plished; whereas,  in  the  short,  upright  one,  it  is  as  signally 
defeated. 

The  exciting  causes,  or  such  as  are  usually  said  to  produce 
ring-bone,  are  severe  concussions  or  jars  to  the  pastern-bones, 
which  excite  inflammation  in  the  covering  of  the  bone  or  the 
ligaments;  running  on  hard  ground,  with  improper  weight; 
jumping,  and  lighting  on  hard  substances;  striking  the  pas- 
terns against  any  thing;  and  traveling  through  thick,  stiff  mud, 
where  the  feet  stick. 

The  hind  pasterns  are  said  to  be  more  liable  to  ring-bone 
than  the  fore  ones;  the  reason  assigned  for  this  is,  that  they 
are  more  liable  to  concussions  than  the  fore  ones,  from  the 
weight  thrown  on  them  in  propelling.  But  it  appears  to  me 
that  their  greater  obliquity  quite  compensates  for  this  disadvan- 
tage. If  it  is  the  case,  I  would  rather  attribute  it  to  their 
greater  liability  to  be  struck  against  objects,  on  the  philosophy 
of  the  Irishman,  who  had  but  one  pair  of  shoes  for  his  horse, 
and  wanted  them  put  on  behind,  for,  "it  was  a  dale  of  a  poor 
horse  that  could  not  see  where  to  set  his  fore-feet." 

Treatment. — The  same  object  is  to  be  sought  to  be  accom- 


1^2  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

plishcd  in  the  treatment  of  ring-bone  that  is  in  bone  spavin- 
to  stop  the  inflammation  and  the  further  growth  of  the  bony 
tumor  For  this  purpose,  the  hair  is  to  be  closely  clipped  off 
around  the  pastern,  over  the  tumor  or  enlargement,  and  the 
ointment,  recommended  in  spavin,  applied  over  the  tumor  m 

precisely  the  same  way.  i    .  •-   • 

The  following  will  greatly  reduce  the  tumor,  but  it  is  very 
severe.  It  is  better  to  use  it  than  have  the  horse  destroyed  by 
ring-bone : 

Take— Corrosive  sublimate 1  ounce. 

T     J  2  ounces. 

Lard 

Mix,  to  form  an  ointment. 

Clip  the  hair  oif  over  the  tumor,  and  apply  the  ointment. 
In  twenty-four  hours  apply  it  again;  then  let  it  remain  three 
days  and  pick  out  any  loose  parts.  Apply  to  the  sore  that  is 
left  oxyd  of  iron,  once  a  day,  for  a  few  days.  Let  the  horse 
have  moderate  exercise. 

BRUISE  OF  THE  SOLE. 

By  rapid  traveling  over  hard  or  gravelly  roads,  when  the 
horse  is  barefooted,  or  if  he  has  cast  a  shoe,  the_  sole  of  the 
foot  may  become  considerably  bruised,  giving  rise  to  more 
or  less  severe  inflammation  within  the  foot,  and  lameness. 
Bruise  of  the  sole  may  result  in  canker,  thrush,  and,  more 
commonly,  qnittor.  The  treatment  of  bruise  of  the  sole  is  to 
keep  the  horse  quiet,  and  apply  cold  water  to  the  foot  by  keep- 
ini^  cloths  wrapped  around  it,  wet  with  cold  water.  If  the  case 
^« tikely  to  result  in  any  of  the  above  diseases,  treat  it  accord- 

CORNS. 

Corn  is  a  bruise  of  the  sensitive  sole,  its  seat  being  in  the 
point  or  heel  of  the  sole ;  that  is,  in  the  angle  between  the  wall 


CORNS.  183 

and  tlie  bar;  almost  always  found  on  tlic  inside  of  the  fore- 
foot. 

Symptoms. — Nothing  but  a  careful  examination  of  the  part 
which  is  the  seat  of  the  corn  will  determine  its  presence;  and 
this  is  not  likely  to  be  made  until  something  leads  to  suspect- 
ing its  presence. 

If  the  horse  has  corn  only  in  one  foot,  he  will  be  decidedly 
lame,  and  when  standing,  if  it  is  very  tender,  he  will  often 
favor  the  heel  by  resting  the  foot  on  the  toe,  and  the  weight  on 
the  sound  foot.  If  both  feet  are  aifected,  he  steps  light,  or  gin- 
gerly, showing  tenderness  of  the  feet  rather  than  positive  lame- 
ness. If  a  trotter,  he  will  have  a  disposition  to  try  pacing; 
will  flinch,  or  jerk  his  feet  excitedly,  if  his  heel  comes  down  on 
a  stone,  and  very  often  stumbles,  and  steps  very  lame  for  a  few 
paces. 

These  symptoms  will  plainly  indicate  the  presence  of  mis- 
chief, and  the  necessity  of  a  careful  examination  for  corns.  The 
shoe  must  be  removed,  or  taken  otf,  the  angle  between  the 
crust  and  bar  pared  down  with  a  blacksmith's  drawing-knife, 
until  all  the  scaly  horn  is  removed,  and  the  sole  itself  made 
quite  thin.  If  corn  be  present,  a  spot  of  a  reddish  or  dark 
color  will  be  observed  in  the  sole,  and  no  doubt  of  the  case  will 
then  remain.  It  will  then  be  the  object  to  determine  to  what 
extent  the  disease  has  progressed.  To  do  this,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  still  further  pare  out  the  corn  to  its  very  bottom,  being 
careful  nut  to  wound  the  sensitive  parts.  It  will  then  be  dis- 
covered whether  there  is  any  blood  collected,  or  matter  formed, 
about  the  part  where  the  sensitive  sole  is  injured,  which  is  a 
matter  of  very  great  importance,  as  the  success  of  the  treat- 
ment depends  on  knowing  the  exact  condition  of  the  corn. 

The  matter  which  forms  may  pass  under  the  sensitive  sole, 
quite  midermining  it,  or  it  may  pass  out  at  the  coronet.  In 
these  cases,  it  is  essentially  quitter,  and  requires  the  same 
treatment. 

The  only  diseases  it  might  at  all  be  taken  for  are  quitter 


184  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

and  canker;  "but  the  examination,  by  paring  away  the  sole  as 
recommended,  will  clearly  determine  simple  corn. 

Causes. — Corn  is,  perhaps,  a  disease  peculiar  to  the  domes- 
ticated horse,  and  generally  so  to  those  that  have  been  shod. 
Corn  is  always  the  result  of  pressure  on  the  horny  sole,  at  the 
point  where  the  disease  occurs,  thus  bruising  the  sensitive 
sole,  and  causing  a  little  blood  to  ooze  from  it,  or  be  extrav- 
asated.  The  secretion  of  horn  from  the  bruised  part  of  the 
sensitive  sole,  is  changed,  being  less  in  quantity,  and  of  a 
spongy  character.  The  blood  which  had  oozed  out  tinges  this 
soft  horn,  giving  it  the  dark  red  color  seen  in  examining  the 
sole  for  corn. 

Contraction  is  a  very  common  cause  of  corn.  The  heel 
wiring  in,  presses  on  or  squeezes  the  heel  of  the  sole,  and 
bruises  it,  thus  giving  rise  to  corn.  But  the  most  common 
cause  is  error  in  shoeing.  It  is  supposed,  by  some,  that  shoeing 
necessarily  gives  rise  to  corn;  and  this  may  be  true,  to  some 
extent,  for  it  certainly  interferes,  in  some  degree,  with  the 
free  and  natural  expansion  of  the  hoof.  But  bad  shoeing 
vastly  increases  the  liability  to  corn.  I  shall  now  point  out 
the  errors  in  shoeing  which  generally  give  rise  to  corn. 

The  inner  side  of  the  hoof  is  thinner  and  weaker  than  the 
outer,  naturally.  Some  blacksmiths  pare  down  the  inside 
border  of  the  crust  much  lower  than  the  outside,  which  lets 
the  shoe  rest  on  the  inner  bar,  and  even  on  the  part  of  the 
sole  between  it  and  the  crust,  and  which  must  certainly  give 
rise  to  corn.  The  inner  heel  and  quarter  should  not  be  cut 
down,  but  merely  leveled,  and  if  the  border  is  too  deep  or 
projecting  around  the  toe,  it  may  be  sufficiently  lowered,  com- 
mencing at  the  inner  quarter  and  paring  down  around  to  the 
outside  of  the  hoof,  which  may  be  cut  down  as  low  as  neces- 
sary. The  border  of  the  crust  should  rest  on  the  outer  part 
of  the  web  of  the  shoe,  and  around  the  toe  and  the  forward 
part  of  the  quarters  their  outer  edges  should  be  even ;  but 
from  where  the  quarters  begin  to  turn  in,  the  web  of  the  shoe 


CORNS-      •■  185 

should  commence  to  project  a  little  beyond  the  edge  of  the 
wall,  and  at  the  heel  should  show  about  one-eighth  of  an  inch 
of  projection.  If  the  heels  of  the  shoe  are  brought  in  even 
with  the  edge  of  the  wall,  in  a  very  short  time,  by  the  groAvth 
of  the  toe  forward,  they  will  be  drawn  so  far  forward  that  the 
crust  around  the  heel  will  project  over  the  shoe,  and  the  heel 
of  the  shoe  will  become  imbedded  in  the  inside  of  the  wall,  on 
the  heel  of  the  sole,  and  corns  will  be  the  consequence. 

Neglecting  to  pare  out  the  dead  horn  in  the  angle  between 
the  crust  and  bar  will  allow  the  shoe  to  press  on  it,  causing 
this  malady. 

For  further  consideration  of  this  subject,  see  the  article  on 
shoeing.  I  must  remark,  however,  that  too  much  attention 
can  not  be  given  to  the  subject  of  shoeing.  It  is  often  neg- 
lected at  the  expense  of  a  valuable  horse. 

Treatment.— -The  paring  out  of  the  corn,  recommended  in 
conducting  the  examination  of  the  case,  is  also  necessary  to 
the  treatment.  Every  particle  of  the  affected  horn  of  the' 
sole  must  be  pared  out,  down  to  the  sensitive  sole.  By  this 
means  the  bruised  part  of  the  sensitive  sole  is  exposed.  If 
blood  or  matter  is  present,  it  can  then  escape.  If  sinuses,  or 
pipes,  have  formed  by  the  matter  burrowing  under  the  sole, 
they  are  to  be  treated  as  quitter,  which  see.  But  if  the  case 
is  simply  a  corn,  after  the  horny  sole  is  pared  away  from  over 
the  point  bruised,  as  close  to  the  sensitive  sole  as  possible, 
being  careful  not  to  wound  it,  take  a  plug  of  tow,  and  dip  it  in 
pitch  and  press  it  firmly  into  the  cavity.  Healthy  horn  will 
then  be  formed  in  place  of  that  before  diseased.  A  thick 
shoe  should  be  put  on,  well  chambered  over  the  seat  of  the 
corn,  to  prevent  it  from  pressing  on  it.  A  bar  shoe  might  be 
worn  for  a  short  time,  to  make  the  shoe  sufficiently  strong  not 
to  break  where  it  is  thinned  over  the  corn. 


186  NAVIK   ON   THE   HORSE. 

WOUND  OF  THE  CORONET— TREAD. 

Under  this  head  may  be  classed  all  wounds  of  the  coronet 
of  a  similar  character  to  those  produced  by  the  calkin  (or,  as 
some  call  it,  the  cork)  of  one  shoe,  on  the  coronet  of  another 
foot. 

The  wound  is  generally  of  that  character  called  a  contused 
wound,  bruised  and  cut,  or  torn. 

Sijm2)toms. — A  careful  examination  of  the  wound  should  be 
made,  and  if  any  dirt,  gravel,  or  sand,  or  other  foreign  thing 
be  found,  it  must  be  removed.  The  extent  of  the  bruise  and 
cut,  if  any,  must  be  carefully  determined.  Inflammation  and 
lameness  are  most  common  accompaniments.  At  a  later 
period  considerable  suppuration  or  mattering  may  take  jDlace. 
If  tread  is  badly  treated  or  neglected,  it  may  terminate  in 
false  quarter,  quitter,  or  it  may  take  on  gangrene,  (mor- 
tification). 

Causes. — An  improperly  formed  shoe  will  most  certainly 
cause  the  horse  to  either  calk  himself,  or  wound  the  coronet 
with  the  lower  border  of  the  shoe.  Any  thing  capable  of 
bruising  and  cutting  the  coronet  may  cause  tread,  or  wound 
of  the  coronet. 

Treatment — In  the  first  place,  cleanse  the  wound  and 
remove  any  dirt,  sand,  or  gravel,  and  clip  oif  any  bits  of 
torn  and  hanging  skin.  This  being  done,  fill  the  wound  with 
balsam  of  fir,  and  put  a  piece  of  muslin  over  it.  Then  wrap 
the  coronet  with  a  long  roller  or  bandage,  and  keep  it  wet 
with  water,  one  pint,  and  tincture  of  arnica,  two  ounces, 
mixed.  If  the  wound  seems  to  be  foul  and  not  disposed  to 
heal,  a  ]3ledget  of  tow,  dipped  in  Venice  turpentine,  may  be 
placed  in  it,  and  renewed  once  or  twice  a  day,  until  the  wound 
looks  healthy,  and  then  use  the  balsam  of  fir.  If  it  should 
seem  to  be  about  to  take  on  gangrene,  or  mortification,  use 
a  poultice  of  charcoal  and  balsam  of  fir. 

Particular   care  should   be   taken  not  to  cut  through  the 


QUITTOK.  187 

coronary  ring,  or  it  will  cause  an  open  space,  or  permanent 
crack  in  the  hoof. 

QUITTOK. 

Quittor  is  an  ulceration,  or  the  formation  of  matter,  in  the 
sensitive  parts  within  the  hoof,  generally  originating  in  the 
sensitive  sole  or  sensitive  lamellae.  When,  from  any  cause, 
matter  is  formed  within  the  foot,  and  where  there  is  no  direct 
outlet,  it  forces  itself  along  through  the  soft  parts,  often  in 
several  difPerent  directions,  forming  sinuses  or  pipes.  These 
pipes  pass  along  until  they  tind  an  outlet,  which  they  will  do 
some  place  above  the  hoof. 

Symptoms. — Before  the  j)ipe  has  opened  above  the  hoof,  it  is 
somewhat  difficult  to  determine  the  case.  There  is  nothina"  in 
the  lameness  to  direct  to  the  true  nature  of  the  case :  thouo-h, 
by  examination,  it  will  certainly  be  found  to  be  in  the  foot, 
and  this  may  be  found  to  be  hot.  If  the  case  has  originated 
from  corn,  or  gravel,  an  examination  of  the  bottom  of  the  foot, 
to  find  if  either  of  them  is  the  cause  of  the  lameness,  will 
show  whether  they  have  progressed  so  far  as  to  cause  matter 
to  be  formed. 

If  it  has  proceeded  from  the  prick  of  a  nail  entering  the 
quick,  when  the  nail  is  drawn  out  a  little  matter  or  pus  will 
very  likely  follow  it;  or  the  smith  may  know  of  the  nail 
having  entered  the  quick,  and  if  he  does  not,  he  certainly  has 
not  sense  enough  to  be  a  blacksmith's  assistant. 

But  when  the  sinuses  or  j^ipes  proceed  from  a  hurt  about  the 
upper  part  of  the  hoof,  at  the  heel,  the  opening  will  generally 
show  the  nature  of  the  case.  The  opening  will  generally  be 
above  the  inner  quarter,  and  not  very  large,  the  matter 
merely  forcing  out  in  small  quantity.  Xo  accurate  idea  of  the 
extent  of  the  ulceration  within  can  be  formed  from  the  quan- 
tity of  matter  thrown  out.  Pipes  may  extend  in  every 
direction,  even  into  the  coffin-joint,  or  the  sensitive  and  horny 
lamellse  may  be  almost  entirely  separated  by  the  ulceration, 


188  NAVIX   ox    THE    HOESE. 

and  yet  but  little  pus  or  matter  be  discharged  at  the  opening 
above  the  hoof. 

The  extent  of  the  fissures  or  pipes  can  best  be  found  out  by 
taking  a  small-sized  hougie^  (it  has  no  other  name),  which  can 
be  got  at  any  drug-store.  This  can  be  passed  into  the  opening 
and  will  easily  pass  in  the  direction  the  pipes  run.  It  may  be 
used  when  the  opening  is  above  the  hoof,  or  when  a  hole  has 
been  made  through  the  sole.  It  is  the  best  probe  that  can  be 
used,  as  it  will  follow  the  sinuses  wherever  they  run.  Some- 
times it  happens  that  the  parts  above  the  hoof  become  much 
enlarged  and  are  liable  to  be  bruised  by  the  other  foot. 

If  quittor  is  neglected,  its  termination  will  be  the  destruction 
of  the  foot,  either  the  hoof  becoming  separated  and  coming 
off,  or  the  coffin-bone  ulcerating  and  becoming  destroyed. 
But  before  these  results  will  have  been  reached,  the  ulcera- 
tion may  have  reached  and  destroyed  the  coffin-joint.  A  true 
quittor  can  hardly  be  mistaken  for  any  thing  else.  A  close 
attention  to  the  condition  of  the  case  is  about  all  that  is 
necessaiy  to  determine  the  disease.  .  It  may  terminate  in 
canker,  but  when  it  does  the  symptoms  of  canker  will  be  so 
clearly  seen  that  no  difficulty  need  be  ex2)erienced. 

Causes. — Any  thing  capable  of  exciting  inflammation  at  any 
point  in  the  sensitive  parts,  which  are  the  seat  of  the  disease, 
will  cause  quittor.  I  have  spoken  of  corns,  gravel,  and  pricks 
of  nails  entering  the  sensitive  little  plates  on  the  coffin-bone, 
as  causes.  In  the  language  of  Mr.  Youatt,  "It  may  be  the 
result  of  any  wound  in  the  foot,  and  in  any  part  of  it."  A^ 
bruise  of  the  sole,  overreach  particularly,  when  badly  treated, 
is  a  frequent  cause. 

Treatment. — If  it  can  be  ascertained  that  the  quittor  is 
caused  by  a  wound  or  bruise  of  the  sole,  or  the  pricking  of  a 
nail,  make  a  free  opening  through  the  sole  at  the  point  of 
injury,  and  let  the  matter  out.  Also,  if  the  quittor  start  from 
above  and  burrow  down  until  any  of  its  pipes  reach  the  sole, 
a  similar  opening  is  to  be  made  at  the  point  where  the  pipe 


QUITTOR.  189 

extends  to.  After  once  getting  the  quittor  oj)ened  and  dis- 
charging matter  below,  the  treatment  can  be  successfully 
applied.  After  opening  the  quittor  at  the  sole,  a  flax-seed 
poultice  should  be  applied  and  kept  on  for  several  days, 
changing  it  twice  a  day.  It  will  cause  a  discharge  of  healthy 
matter,  and  incline  the  quittor  to  heal.  If  it  is  not  getting 
along  well  by  the  poulticing,  nitrate  of  silver,  forty  grains  to 
the  ounce  of  rain-water,  may  be  injected  into  the  sinuses  once 
a  day,  with  a  glass  syringe,  for  two  or  three  days,  after  which 
use  only  ten  grains  to  the  ounce  of  water,  the  poultices  still 
being  continued  if  the  quittor  closes  at  the  coronet  after  being- 
opened  below.  But,  on  probing  the  opening  at  the  coronet,  it 
will  sometimes  be  found  that  it  only  extends  a  little  way 
down ;  then,  by  injecting  it  twice  or  three  times  a  day  with 
tincture  of  aloes  and  myrrh,  a  cure  Avill  be  easily  effected. 

Another  plan  of  treating  quittor  is  to  make  a  slim  tent,  of 
tow  or  flax,  as  long  as  can  be  passed  into  the  sinus  or  pipe, 
and  soak  it  in  Venice  turpentine,  and  introduce  it  into  the 
pipe.  If  it  does  not  stay  in  well,  it  can  be  held  in  by  a  band- 
age, or  strip  of  sticking-plaster.  After  a  few  days  matter 
will  flow  freely,  and  if  the  cure  is  going  to  be  successful,  the 
matter  will  be  of  a  yellow,  healthy  ap})earance,  and  the  quan- 
tity decrease.  The  tent  must  be  removed,  cleansed,  and 
soaked  in  the  turpentine,  once  a  day.  It  would  be  well  to 
inject  the  pipe  with  salt-water,  when  the  tent  is  taken  out,  to 
cleanse  it.  After  the  tent  has  been  used  about  a  week,  if  the 
case  is  doino;  well,  a  shorter  tent  mav  have  to  be  used,  for  the 
sinuses  will  be  filling  up.  If  proud  flesh  should  appear  it 
may  be  removed  by  the  use  of  burnt  alum,  in  powder,  freely 
applied  to  it.  Another  good  treatment  for  quittor  is  to  inject 
the  sinuses  with  the  ointment  used  in  fistula  and  poll-evil, 
twice  a  day.     It  will  have  to  be  softened  for  this  purpose. 

The  horse  should  be  kept  quiet,  on  a  soft  dirt  floor,  and  fed 
light  diet.  A  good,  cleansing  physic  would  be  useful  at  the 
commencement  of  the  treatment,  and  repeated  in  a  few  days. 


190 


NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 


Some  cases,  especially  where  the  coffin-joint  is  involved, 
will  reqiire  time  and  patience  in  treatment. 


f    h  c 

VIEW  OF  THE  INSIDE  OF  THE  HOOF. 

a,  The  external  or  outside  crust,  seen  at  the  quarters, 
i,  The  coronary  ring  which  throws  out  the  hoof,  supplying  its  repairs. 
c,  The  little  horny  plates,  called  springs,  on  which  the  weight  of  the  horse  is  borne,  called 
lamellaj. 

(7,  The  lamelloe  continued  over  the  bars. 

e,  (?,  The  two  concave  or  hollow  surfaces  of  the  inside  horny,  or  outer  frog. 

/,  This  is  the  cleft  of  the  frog,  when  viewed  on  its  outside. 

^,  ^,  The  bars,  shown  on  the  inner  side. 


PUMICED  FOOT. 

This  is  either  a  partial  or  entire  separation  of  the  sensitive 
and  horny  lamella?  of  the  foot,  permitting  the  coffin-bone  to 
settle  down,  or  descend  and  rest  on  the  sole.  This  causes 
the  sole  to  become  flat,  or  even  convex,  the  weight  resting  on 
it,  instead  of  on  the  lower  border  or  inner  surface  of  the 
crust. 

S\jm'ptoms.—T\\(i  symptoms  presented  do  not  always  clearly 
indicate  the  extent  of  the  mischief.  When  the  lamella)  are 
only  partially  separated,  or  have  lost  their  elasticity  and  be- 
come stretched  by  the  weight  resting  on  them,  the  coffin-bone 


PUMICED    FOOT.  191 

will  still  be  partially  suspended,  and,  tliougli  it  descends  and 
rests  on  the  sole,  its  full  weight  docs  not  have  to  be  sustained 
by  it.  In  this  case,  the  sole  will  become  flat,  or  slightly  con- 
vex, and  the  crust  or  wall  fall  in  from  above,  to  some  extent. 
This  condition  may  remain  for  some  time  and  no  great  change 
of  the  condition  of  the  parts  within  the  hoof  take  place,  except 
a  gradual  wasting  away  of  the  sole,  by  absorption,  where  the 
coffin-bone  presses  on  it.  It  sonue times  happens  that  a  dispo- 
sition to  unite  takes  place  in  the  parts  thus  separated ;  and 
this  adhesion  may  be  quite  firm,  and  something  like  a  cure  be 
the  result.  It  is,  when  the  case  is  of  this  character,  no  part 
of  the  hoof  being  broken,  that  a  cure,  by  the  means  I  shall 
describe,  w^hen  I  come  to  the  treatment,  may  be  more  confi- 
dently hoped  for.  This  form  of  the  disease  is  most  likely  to 
be  the  result  of  the  less  active  inflammation  of  the  foot. 

But  very  soon  after  active  inflammation  has  taken  place  in 
the  structures  or  parts  within  the  hoof,  an  entire  separation 
of  the  sensitive  and  horny  lamellae  sometimes  occurs,  pcrmitr 
ting  the  coffin-bone  to  descend  and  rest  its  entire  weight  on 
the  sole.  In  this  case,  the  sole  rapidly  descends,  absorption 
takes  place  very  fast,  and  consequent  thinning  of  it,  and, 
finally,  being  unable  to  sustain  this  unnatural  weight,  the  sole 
bursts  loose  from  the  wall,  thus  exposing  the  internal,  sensi- 
tive parts  of  the  foot.  Of  the  intensity  of  misery  and  lame- 
ness, in  such  a  case,  imagination  can  furnish  a  better  idea 
than  words.  Great  changes  w^ithin  the  foot  take  place. 
The  structure,  as  well  as  the  situation  of  the  parts,  becomes 
changed. 

Causes. — As  has  already  been  suggested,  inflammation  of 
the  lamellae  of  the  foot  by  founder,  or  any  inflammation,  is 
the  principal  cause  of  pumiced  foot.  In  the  state  of  health, 
the  union  of  these  little  plates  is  so  firm  that  they  are  able  to 
bear  a  force  equal  to  many  thousand  pounds;  but  after  being 
the  seat  of  inflammation,  this  union  is  soon  destroyed.  Any 
thing  capable  of  producing  inflammation  of  the  parts  within 


192  NAVIX    ox   THE    HORSE. 

the  foot  may  result  in  a  juimiccd  foot — severe  and  long  con- 
tinued strain  of  these  little  plates,  hard  running,  etc. — the 
worst  form  generally  following  active  inflammation,  or  coming 
on  after  the  milder  type  of  the  difficulty  has  existed  for  some 
time.  The  type  of  the  disease  which  is  not  attended  with  a 
breaking  of  the  sole  is  more  commonly  the  result  of  the  less 
active  inflammation  of  the  foot,  or  chronic  founder. 

Pumiced  foot  is  not  difficult  to  determine,  when  of  the  more 
severe  type;  that  is,  when  the  sole  is  broken.  The  flattening 
of  the  sole,  and  its  evidently  becoming  thinner,  with  the 
peculiar  sinking  in  of  the  crust  in  front,  and  the  lameness 
always  present,  will  distinguish  it  from  the  common  flat-foot 
we  sometimes  meet;  also,  the  walking  on  the  heel  and  eleva- 
tion of  the  toe. 

Treatment. — This  is  one  of  the  most  serious  misfortunes  to 
which  the  horse  is  liable.  Yet  I  am  not  of  the  opinion  that 
all  cases  are  out  of  the  reach  of  beneiit  by  proper  treatment. 
The  treatment  I  would  adopt  consists  of  a  double  shoe. 
With  this  arrangement,  a  constant  pressure,  which  is  in- 
creased from  time  to  time,  is  kept  up  on  the  sole,  and  the 
coffin-bone,  by  this  means,  raised  to  its  proper  place.  The 
first  shoe  is  made  just  as  an  ordinary  shoe,  except  that  there 
are  three  projections  at  each  side  ;  a  hole  passes  through  each 
.of  these  projections,  and  a  thread  is  cut  in  it  to  receive  a 
screw.  This  shoe  is  put  on  just  as  any  other;  but  the  hoof 
should  be  very  carefully  pared,  and  the  wall  made  thin  as 
possible,  so  as  not  to  leave  it  any  stiffer  than  necessary.  An- 
other shoe  just  the  size  of  the  former,  but  with  no  nail-holes, 
and  having  the  same  side  projections  as  the  other,  but  the 
holes  through  them  being  smooth,  is  made.  This  shoe  is  to 
have  two  bars  across  it,  and  another  across  them — the  first 
a  little  back  of  the  quarters,  and  the  second  between  it  and 
the  toe.  Six  screws  with  square  heads  are  to  be  made.  They 
should  be  a  little  longer  than  the  thickness  of  the  two  shoes. 
The  fiijt  shoe  is  now  to  be  filled  up  with  several  thicknesses 


THRUSH.  193 

of  sole-Jeatlier;  the  first  piece  fitting  the  sole  accurately,  the 

next  not  being  quite  so  broad,  and  so  on,  so  that  the  greater 

pressure  will  be  on  the  center  of  the  sole,  which  requires  to 

be  most  raised.      The  necessary  number  of  leathers  being 

fitted,  the  outer  shoe  is  to  be  put  on  by  means  of  the  screws! 

Enough  leathers  should  be  put  on  so  that  the  two  shoes  will 

not  come  quite  together  at  first.     In  a  few  days  the  screws 

may  be  tightened  a  little,  and  so  on  until  the  two  shoes  come 

together.     Enough  leathers  should  be  put  on  at  first  to  raise 

the  sole  to  its  natural  position  by  the  time  the  two  shoes  are 

brought  together.     The  shoe  should  remain  on  until  the  wall 

of  the  hoof  has  grown  about  two-thirds  of  its  length,  which 

may  be  known  by  making  a  mark  on  the  wall  near  the  hair, 

and  noticing  its  descent.     The  horse  should  be  kept  on  a 

soft  floor,  or  may  be  turned  on  grass. 

The  efi'ect  of  this  contrivance  is,  as  every  anatomist  knows,, 
that,  as  the  hoof  and  the  lamellse  are  produced  at  the  coronary 
ring,  they  are  brought  together,  and,  both  growing  out,  will 
be  united  and  held  together,  until  enough  is  thrown  out  to- 
hold  them  in  until  they  finish  their  union,  after  which  time 
the  pressure  may  be  removed  by  taking  otf  the  shoe. 


THRUSH. 


A  disease  sometimes  called  fnisli.  It  is  characterized  by  ai 
discharge  of  matter  from  the  cleft  of  the  frog,  of  a  peculiarly- 
offensive  smell.  It  is  i\Q  result  of  inflammation  of  the  lower- 
surface  of  the  sensitive  frog;  its  usual  secretion  of  horn  bein^ 
changed,  or  partly  changed,  into  pus  or  matter.  It  occurs^ 
more  frequently  in  the  hind-foot  than  in  the  fore  one. 

8^jmiitoms.—\Ti  many  cases  the  only  means  of  ascertainino- 
the  existence  of  thrush  is  the  peculiar  smell,  or,  by  a  very 
careful  examination,  the  hoof  showing  no  change  in  shape 
and  the  frog  not  at  all  tender.  The  cleft  of  the  frog  will 
generally  be  found  lengthened  and  deepened,  the  fissure  often 
JLo 


194  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

extending  to  the  sensitive  horn  within,  and  from  this  the  dis- 
charge constantly  issues.  The  in'ogress  of  the  disease  is  often 
very  slow,  but  with  no  disposition  to  heal.  After  awhile  the 
frog  commences  to  draw  up  or  contract,  becoming  tender, 
rough,  and  brittle,  the  discharge  becoming  more  abundant 
and  more  oifcnsive.  The  horny  frog  disappears,  or  seems  to 
be  Avasted  away  by  the  continued  discharge,  and  a  mass  of 
hardened  mucus  takes  its  place;  but  this  scales  off  very  easily, 
leaving  the  sensitive  frog  uncovered.  Masses  of  fungus  or 
proud  flesh  sprout  up  in  this  opening,  and  extend  to  the  parts 
around ;  the  sole  becomes  undermined  and  the  whole  foot  in- 
volvcd  in  canker. 

The  tendency  of  this  disease  is  to  destruction,  and  nothing 
•can  be  more  erroneous  than  to  suppose  it  a  matter  of  no  con- 
sequence. It  should  never  be  neglected,  however  trifling  the 
attack  may  seem  to  be." 

Causes. — Thrush  may  be  caused  either  by  the  eifects  of 
-other  diseases  or  by  violence  to  the  frog  of  any  kind.  Con- 
traction, by  pressing  on  the  frog,  will  cause  it.  Improper 
shoeing,  exposing  the  frog  to  unusual  violence,  will  also  pro- 
duce it.  Exposure  of  the  feet  in  filthy  stables,  allowing  the 
torse  to  stand  with  his  feet  in  a  mortar  of  dung  and  urine, 
will  give  rise  to  irritation  of  the  frog,  and  thrush.  Contrac- 
tion is  apt  to  result  from  thrush. 

It  is  oftencr  met  with  in  the  hind-feet  than  the  fore  ones, 
-most  likely  from  their  greater  exposure  to  filth.  It  may  occur 
.at  any  age  .or  any  season.  Colts  at  grass  have  been  known 
to  have  it. 

Treatment. — The  thrush  should  be  properly  cleaned  out  by 
ivashing  with  soapsuds,  and  dried,  and  the  loose  horn  pared 
■oif.  Then  use  the  same  ointment  recommended  for  scratches, 
or  grease,  with  the  addition,  to  the  quantity  there  recom- 
mended, of  imwdered  blue  vitriol^  one  ounce.  To  be  applied 
•once  a  day,  and  the  heel  washed  well  with  soapsuds  and  dried 
^before  applying  the  ointment.     AMien  masses  of  fungus,  or 


CAXKER   OF    THE    FOOT.  195 

proud- flesh  sprout  up,  they  should  be  freely  touched  with  a 
stick  of  nitrate  of  silver,  commonly  called  caustic.  The 
caustic  may  be  forced  into  the  spongy  growth  freely,  so  as  to 
destroy  it  at  once. 

A  physic  every  four  or  five  days  will  be  of  advantage.  He 
should  have,  once  a  day,  in  his  feed,  an  alterative.  Equal 
parts  of  sulphur  and  j^owdered  sassafras,  a  table-spoonful  to 
be  given  at  a  dose,  will  answer  the  purpose  very  well. 

CANKER  OF  THE  FOOT. 

A  morbid  or  diseased  condition  of  the  sensitive  sole,  or  of 
it  and  the  sensitive  frog,  causing  the  separation  of  the  horny 
sole,  and  a  growth  of  fungus  flesh  to  sprout  up  and  occupy  its 
place,  has  been  called  canker. 

Sjjmjjtoms. — As  canker  is  generally  a  secondary  disease — that 
is,  results  from  other  diseases  having  progressed  until  the 
sensitive  sole  and  sensitive  frog  become  diseased — the  earlier 
■symptoms  would  be  such  as  attend  those  diseases.  The  dis- 
eases which  more  frequently  result  in  canker  are  quitter, 
corns,  and  thrush.  Great  tenderness  of  the  bottom  of  the 
foot,  and  lameness  of  the  severest  character,  attend  from  the 
first  of  the  disease.  And  these,  of  course,  increase  as  the 
horny  sole  and  frog  become  absorbed  or  wasted  away  by  the 
increased  fungus  growth  which  takes  their  place.  Indeed, 
the  symptoms  of  canker  may  be  said  to  steadily  progress,  from 
bad  destruction  of  the  bottom  of  the  foot  and  lameness,  to 
worse  and  worse,  until  the  foot  is  entirely  destroyed  or  the 
animal  dies. 

It  may  be  distinguished  from  thrush  by  the  fungus  or  proud 
flesh  in  it  only  occupying  the  place  of  the  frog,  wdiile  in 
canker  it  extends  to  the  bars  and  sole.  From  quitter,  by  the 
absence  of  fungus  growth  in  quitter,  while  it  may  be  properly 
so  called,  it  is,  indeed,  canker,  and  nothing  else. 

Causes. — Thrush,  quitter,  and  corns  have  been  spoken  of  as 
running  into  canker,  or  causing  it.     Bruises  and  punctures 


196  Ts^lYIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

may  bring  it  on.  It  is  much  more  common  in  heavy  draught 
or  dray-horses,  with  hirge,  broad  feet ;  indeed,  it  is  almost  ex- 
chisively  confined  to  such  horses.  It  is  said  by  authors  to  be 
hereditary.  Filthy,  bad  stabling  is  doubtless  one  of  the  main 
causes  ^of  canker. 

Treatment. — The  objects  to  be  accomplished  in  this  disease 
are,  to  remove  the  fungus  growth  and  the  dead  parts  of  the 
horny  sole,  so  as  to  leave  the  surface  of  the  sensitive  sole  in 
a  healthy  condition,  Avhen  it  will  be  capable  of  secreting  or 
throwing  out  new  horn,  to  take  the  place  of  that  destroyed 
by  the  disease.     The  first  thing  is  to  remove  the  fungus  or 
proud  flesh.     The  large  masses  of  it  may  be  shaved  off  even 
with  the  sole,  with  a  sharp  knife,  being  careful  not  to  w^ound 
the  sensitive  sole.     The  surface  then  left  should  be  freely 
touched  with  a  stick  of  nitrate  of  silver,  until  a  white,  skin- 
lilce  surface  is  left.     The  stick  may  be  freely  pressed  down 
into  any  lumps  of  fungus  left.     As  soon  as  the  greater  part 
of  the  fungus  is  removed,  all  dead  or  loosened  portions  of 
horn  should  be  pared  out.     After  applying  the  caustic,  a  poul- 
tice of  flax-seed  should  be  applied,  which  can  best  be  held  on 
by  the  leather  boot,  wdiich  is  made  to  slip  over  the  foot  and 
tie  around  the  pastern.     The  caustic  is  to  be  applied  to  the 
fungus  once  a  day;  but  after  any  part  of  the  sensitive  sole 
has  become  uncovered  and  healthy,  it  must  not  be  touched 
any  more  with  the  caustic.     The  chloride  of  antimony  is  a 
superior  article  for  removing  the  fungus  that  remains  after 
the  knife  has  been  used.     The  part  is  to  be  touched  with  it 
once  a  day,  but  not  the  sensitive  sole,  after  it  has  commenced 
secretin^  new  horn.     A  thick  piece  of  cloth,  spread  with  bal- 
sam of  fir,  will  answer  quite  as  good  a  i^urpose  as  a  poultice, 
and  is  easier  kept  on. 

\Yhile  undergoing  treatment,  the  horse  should  be  carefully 
kept  where  his  feet  will  be  dry.  He  might  be  used  in  light 
work,  as  in  a  bark-mill.  He  needs  some  exercise.  Time  and 
patience  are  necessary  in  treating  this  malady. 


STRAIN   OF.   THE   COFFIX-JOIXT.  197 

STRAIN   OF   THE    COFFIN-JOINT. 

The  coffin-joint  is  composed  of  the  union  of  the  coffin-bone, 
the  navicular  bone,  and  the  lower  pastern-bone.  This  joint  is 
a  little  below  .the  coronary  ring. 

Symptoms. — Lameness  suddenl}^  coming  on,  with  heat  and 
tenderness  low  down  around  the  coronet.  It  is  very  difficult  to 
determine  this  injury,  owing  to  the  parts  being  covered  up  by 
the  hoof  in  which  it  occurs.  The  absence  of  injury  in  any  of 
the  other  joints  near  it  should  always  be  determined  before 
locating  the  cause  of  the  lameness  in  the  coffin-joint. 

Causes. — Any  violence  so  applied  as  to  throw  the  force  on  it, 
may  strain  this  joint.  It  is  not  very  common,  however,  that  it 
is  injured.  It  is  well  protected  from  concussion  by  the  extensive 
elastic  structures  about  it.  Getting  the  foot  fast  is  most  likely 
to  strain  this  joint.  It  should  be  promptly,  treated,  for  irrepar- 
able mischief  may  be  the  result  if  it  is  not. 

Treatment. — The  first  object  is  to  prevent  inflammation 
taking  place;  or,  if  it  has  already  set  in,  to  reduce  it.  For 
this  purpose  remove  the  shoe,  wash  the  foot,  put  the  horse  on  a 
soft  floor,  and  wrap  the  foot  with  a  broad,  long  bandage,  and 
keep  wet  with  the  following  '•'' cold  lotion:  " 

Take — Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

Sugar  of  lead 1  ounce. 

Muriate  of  ammonia 1  ounce. 

Common  salt 1  pint. 

Water 4  gallons. 

Mix. 

A  cooling  physic  may  be  given  every  two  or  three  days. 
Light  diet,  as  scalded  Shorts,  bran,  etc. 


198  NAYITs'   0?^   THE   HOESE. 


TUMOES. 


Seveeal  different  kinds  of  tumors  or  lumps  appear  under 
the  horse's  skin,  generally  originating  in  the  soft  white  flesh 
or  cellular  tissue  which  connects  the  skin  with  the  muscular 
covering  of  the  body.  Most  of  such  tumors  are  slightly 
movable.  Some  kinds  grow  to  an  enormous  size.  Some  are 
hard  or  gristly  all  through ;  others  only  part  of  the  way,  and 
the  center  filled  with  thick  fluid  ;  still  others  have  only  a  thin 
wall  and  the  inside  filled  with  quite  thin  fluid. 

Treatment. — Repeated  blisters  over  the  tumor  in  its  first 
appearance  may  put  some  kinds  back,  'but  the  radical  treat- 
ment is  to  take  the  tumor  out  with  a  knife.  The  skin  is  cut 
over  the  tumor  from  side  to  side  by  two  incisions,  one  running 
across  the  other.  The  skin  and  the  flesh,  if  any  between  it 
and  the  tumor,  is  then  dissected  back  so  that  the.  outer  side  of 
the  tumor  is  uncovered.  It  is  then  to  be  dissected  off.  A 
simple  flesh  wound  is  left,  which  is  to  be  cleansed  of  blood 
with  cold  water,  and  the  flaps  of  skin  sewed  up.  Dress  with 
compound  tincture  of  myrrh.  Secure  the  horse  in  a  stall  so 
^that  he  can  not  tear  the  wound  open.  Any  artery  of  consequence 
that  may  be  cut  is  to  be  tied. 

Tumors  on  Tendons. — Hard  tumors  sometimes  come  on  the 
tendons  and  ligaments  about  the  joints,  from  bruises  or  strains. 
They  are  fast  to  the  tendon  and  not  movable.  They  should  not 
be  interrupted. 

An  Aneurism  is  a  tumor  formed  by  the  rupturing  or  break- 
ing of  the  inner  coat  of  an  artery.  It  is  a  soft,  throbbing  or 
pulsating  tumor.  It  may  be  operated 'on  by  a  good  surgeon, 
but  an  inexperienced  hand  should  not  undertake  it. 

MELANOSIS. 

Tumors,  varying  in  size  fi'om  a  merely  perceptible  kernel  to 
several  pounds  in  weight,  are  sometimes  found  under  the  skin, 


WAETS.  199 

or  more  or  less  imbedded  in  the  muscles  and  cellular  tissue. 
They  present  an  irregular  appearance,  and  a  sort  of  knotted 
feel  to  the  hand.  When  cut  open  they  are  found  to  be  of  a 
fibrous  structure,  with  a  dark-colored  inside,  and  exude  a  dark- 
colored  fluid  resembling  coal-tar.  These  tumors  are  most 
common  about  the  shoulders  and  tail.  They  may  be  found 
about  the  eyes  and  jaws,  or,  indeed,  any  other  part. 

Treatment. — The  only  successful  way  of  treating  such  tumors 
is  to  cut  them  out.  The  horse  should  be  cast  in  the  most  con- 
venient way,  and  then  firmly  secured  or  given  chloroform.  The 
operator  will  then  lay  open  the  skin  and  flesh  down  to  the 
tumor  by  two  incisions  crossing  each  other.  He  will  then 
dissect  back  the  four  flaps  until  he  reaches  the  edge  of  the 
tumor,  when  he  proceeds  to  dissect  it  up  from  its  attachments 
underneath.  He  should  be  careful  to  dissect  around  any  large 
arteries  or  nerves  in  the  way.  An  assistant  is  to  sponge  aw^ay 
the  blood  with  a  sponge  squeezed  out  of  cold  water,  while  the 
operation  is  going  on.  If  any  considerable  artery  is  cut  during 
the  operation,  it  must  be  tied.  After  the  tumor  is  removed, 
sponge  out  the  wound  and  bring  the  flaps  together,  and  close 
the  cuts  by  a  proper  number  of  sutures. 

Place  the  horse  in  a  stall  where  he  can  not  possibly  rub  the 
wound,  and  keep  it  dressed  with  cloths  wet  in  cold  water,  or, 
after  a  few^  days,  dress  it  with  compound  tincture  of  myrrh. 

WARTS. 

These  are  hard  excrescences  which  appear  on  various  parts 
of  the  body.  They  are  very  commonly  found  about  the  face 
and  nose,  and  along  the  belly  and  flanks.  They  are  very 
troublesome  when  large  or  in  situations  where  they  get  rubbed. 
They  vary  in  size  from  a  pea  to  a  pound  or  more  in  weight. 
I  took  one  oif  the  pastern-joint  which  weighed  one  and  a  half 
pounds.     They  have  their  roots  in  the  skin. 

Treatment. — If  the  wart  has  a  broad  base,  take  a  curved 
needle,  armed  with  a  double  cord  of  saddler's  silk,  and  pass  it 


200  NAYIX   OX   THE   HOESE. 

through  the  base  of  the  wart,  then  cut  the  needle  off.  There 
are  then  two  cords  through  the  wart.  One  of  these  is  to  be  tied 
around  one  half,  and  the  other  around  the  other  half,  drawing 
them  very  tight,  and  t3dng  with  a  surgeon^ s  knot.  If  the  wart 
has  a  stem  or  pedicle,  tie  the  cord  around  it.  After  being 
thus  ligatured,  the  wart  will  drop  off  in  a  few  days.  The 
sore  that  is  left  may  be  treated  as  a  simple  ulcer ;  it  is  noth- 
ing else. 

Warts  may  be  removed  by  the  application  of  caustics,  as 
caustic  potash,  arsenic,  or  corrosive  sublimate.  I  prefer  remov- 
ing them  with  a  dull  red-hot  iron,  called  actual  cautery.  Apply 
the  iron  to  the  stem  or  pedicle  of  the  wart,  and  it  will  fall  in  a 
few  seconds.  After  it  is  off,  if  the  roots  are  likely  to  sprout  up 
again,  apply  some  caustic ;  either  of  those  just  mentioned  will 
answer.  Treat  the  ulcer  left  as  before  directed.  Some  warts 
may  be  clipped  off.  Nitrate  of  silver,  twenty  grains  to  the 
ounce  of  water,  makes  a  good  dressing  for  the  ulcer  left  after  a 
wart  is  removed.  Dip  a  feather  in  it,  and  apply  to  the  ulcer 
once  a  day. 

SITFASTS. 

A  sitfast  is  a  hardened,  thickened,  and  elevated  portion  of  the 
skin,  of  a  dark  color,  with  edges  more  or  less  raised,  and 
extremely  sensitive,  the  horse  scarcely  allowing  it  to  be  touched. 
It  resembles  a  corn  in  the  human  patient.  Sitfasts  come  where 
the  saddle  or  harness  exerts  undue  pressure.  Scalds  may  cause 
them. 

Treatment. — Cut  the  sitfast  entirely  out,  and  heal  the  wound 
as  any  ordinary  sore. 

WIND-GALLS. 

These  are  tumors,  of  a  puffy  character,  of  variable  size, 
located  on  the  legs,  generally  about  the  hough  and  fetlock. 
Where  the  tendons  of  the  muscles  are  attached,  or  where  they 
lie  close  to  the  bone,  and  where  there  would  be  friction,  little 


WIND-GALLS.  201 

shut  sacks  are  placed,  on  which  the  tendons  move,  to  prevent 
friction.  These  little  sacks  are  very  smooth  on  their  inside  sur- 
faces, which  secrete  a  fluid  just  the  same  as  joint-imter,  to  lu- 
bricate or  moisten  the  surfaces  which  lie  in  contact  with  each 
other.  These  sacks  are  very  numerous  near  the  joints,  where 
there  are  many  tendons  fastened.  Now,  these  sacks  may  become 
inflamed  from  undue  pressure,  resulting  from  violent  action  of 
the  tendons,  or  from  blows,  etc.  One  of  the  common  results  of 
inflammation  is  a  thickening  of  the  structure  or  part  inflamed. 
So  wind-galls  are  often  only  the  thickened  walls  of  these  little 
shut  sacks,  and  which,  of  course,  remain  thickened  after  the 
inflammation  has  subsided.  Still  another  result  of  inflamma- 
tion is,  especially  in  surfaces  that  secrete  any  fluid,  to  cause  an 
excessive  quantity  of  fluid,  of  a  slightly  different  character,  to 
be  secreted  or  poured  out.  So  it  generally  happens  that,  when 
these  little  shut  sacks  become  inflamed,  their  secretion  is  greatly 
increased,  and,  as  there  is  no  opening  in  the  sack,  it  must  re- 
main there,  and  form  a  puffy  tumor,  which  has  been  called 
wind-gall,  from  the  erroneous  opinion,  formerly  entertained,  that 
it  contained  wind.  A  portion  of  the  fluid  may,  however,  after 
a  long  time,  be  got  rid  of  by  means  of  absorption,  and  this  the 
thinner  portion,  leaving  the  thicker  part  of  the  fluid  still  in  the 
sack,  forming  a  tumor  of  greater  hardness,  but  not  of  the  bony 
hardness  of  splint. 

When  the  horse  is  very  old,  the  process  of  absorption  be- 
comes very  active,  and  all  wind-galls  will  then  disappear.  Few 
horses  are  entirely  free  from  these  eyesores,  for,  generally,  they 
are  only  such.  When  they  are  first  forming,  before  the  inflam- 
mation subsides,  they  may  occasionally  cause  lameness,  but 
after  this,  unless  they  attain  an  enormous  size,  they  do  not  in- 
terfere with  the  horse's  action,  or  cause  unsoundness. 

Sf/mjitoms. — Wind-galls  may  be  known  from  their  location  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  tendons  above  the  fetlock,  and,  more 
frequently,  about  the  point  of  their  insertion,  from  the  puffy 


202  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

character  of  the  tumor,  and  the  little  or  no  inconvenience  oc- 
casioned by  them. 

Treatment. — Constant  and  firm  pressure  will  remove  wind- 
galls  for  a  short  time,  but  they  will  return.  The  daily  appli- 
cation of  tincture  of  iodine  will  sometimes  remove  them,  but  a 
certain  cure  is  to  puncture  the  wind-gall  with  a  sharp  knife, 
and  with  a  glass  syringe  inject  into  it  a  tea-spoonful  of  tincture 
of  iodine. 

BOa  AND  BLOOD-SPAVIN. 

As  was  observed  when  describing  wind-galls,  where  the  ten- 
dons pass  over  the  bones,  little  membranous  sacks  or  bags  are 
interposed  to  prevent  friction.  A  similar  arangement  of  little 
sacks  protects  the  tendons  about  the  hough.  From  violent  ex- 
ertion, inflammation  is  excited  in  these  little  sacks;  their  natural 
secretion  is  changed  in  character  and  increased  in  quantity,  and 
a  tumor  or  lump  is  formed.  A  vein  of  considerable  size,  called 
the  subcutaneous  vein,  passes  up  the  leg  a  little  in  front  of  the 
inside  of  the  hough.  Now,  when  the  little  sacks  situated  be- 
neath this  vein  inflame  and  enlarge,  they  press  on  the  vein, 
preventing  the  blood  from  returning  freely  along  it,  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  vein,  below  the  enlarged  sack,  swells,  forming  a 
tumor  of  a  soft  and  yielding  character,  seldom  larger  than  half 
of  a  hen's  egg. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  by  which  blood-spavin  can  be 
distinguished  are,  the  commencement  of  the  vein  to  enlarge 
below  the  swelled  or  enlarged  sack,  and  its  gradual  progress  of 
development;  also,  the  slight  lameness  accompanying,  which  is 
most  manifest  when  the  animal  first  starts,  after  rest.  This 
lameness  is  often  permanent.  Blood-spavin  should  always  be 
regarded  as  permanent  unsoundness,  for,  though  it  may  be 
cured,  it  is  almost  certain  to  return  again. 

The  causes  of  this  difficulty  have  been  sufficiently  referred 
to  above. 

Treatment. — I  should  lose  no  time  in  applying  a  blister,  com- 


THOROUGH-PIN".  203 

pletely  covering  the  swelling,  but  not  surrounding  the  leg. 
The  blister  should  be  applied  every  third  or  fourth  day,  but 
not  putting  on  new  ones  while  the  other  runs,  until  three  or 
four  blisters  have  been  put  on.  But  the  most  permanent  cure 
is  firing.  The  horse  should  be  cast ;  then  several  strokes  ^vith 
the  firing-iron  should  be  made  over  the  swollen  part,  nearly  up 
and  down  the  limb,  about  half  an  inch  apart;  other  strokes 
with  the  iron  are  to  be  made,  running  slantingly  across  the 
first,  marking  the  surface  over  and  around  the  swelling  in  dia- 
monds. The  burning  should  not  go  through  the  skin,  but  nearly 
so.  After  five  or  six  days,  a  blister  should  be  drawn  over  the 
part  fired.  By  this  treatment  the  skin  is  contracted,  and  a 
constant  pressure  is  kept  up  on  the  parts  that  were  swollen. 
Never  blister  twice,  without  greasing  and  washing  with  warm 
water  and  soap,  then  drying  before  blistering. 

THOROUGH-PIN. 

An  enlargement,  of  a  soft,  puffy  character,  appearing  in  the 
space  between  the  hamstring  and  the  lower  end  of  the  thigh- 
bone, above  the  hough. 

It  is  an  enlargement  of  one  of  those  little  sacks  placed  in 
the  neighborhood  of  joints  and  ligaments,  called  hirsm  mncosce, 
and  which  are  particularly  described  in  the  article  on  "Wind- 
galls."  Indeed,  thorough-pin  is  identically  of  the  same  char- 
acter as  wind-galls.  The  enlargement  may  appear  only  in 
one  of  the  spaces  in  front  of  the  hamstring;  but  it  generally 
appears  at  both  sides — hence  the  name  thorough-pin.  The  en- 
largement may  be  small  or  of  considerable  size,  somewhat 
injuring  the  appearance  of  the  hough;  but  it  is  only  an  eye- 
sore, seldom  producing. lameness,  and  is  not  regarded  as  an  un- 
soundness, though  it  is  an  evidence  of  the  horse  having  passed 
through  some  rough  usage.  From  the  above  description  it 
will  readily  be  recognized  or  known,  and  its  causes  sufficiently 
understood. 


204  XAYIX   ON   THE    HORSE. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  for  thoroiigli-pin  is  the  same  as 
recommended  for  wind-galls. 


CURB. 

An  inflammation  and  swelling,  terminating  in  a  callous 
tmiior  or  swelling,  about  three  or  four  inches  below  the  hough. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  many  tendons  are  held  in 
place  by  broad,  ring-like  ligaments,  through  which  the  tendons 
pass,  these  ring-like  ligaments  being  firmly  attached  to  the 
bone.  These  loops,  or  rings,  are  lined  with  a  smooth  mem- 
brane, which  secretes  a  fluid  to  keep  it  as  if  oiled,  to  avoid  fric- 
tion. The  tendon  is  also  covered  with  a  smooth,  delicate  mem- 
brane, called  its  sheath,  to  further  aid  in  preventing  friction, 
by  the  motion  of  the  tendon.  But  by  violence  to  the  part 
above  described,  either  to  the  sheath  of  the  tendon  or  the  ring- 
like ligament,  inflammation  is  excited,  giving  rise  to  the  fol- 
lowing 

Sfpnjytoms. — Heat,  tenderness,  and  swelling  in  the  part  affected, 
wdth  considerable  lameness  from  the  first,  are  the  usual  symp- 
toms of  the  earlier  stage  of  this  malady.  The  heat  and  ten- 
derness will  only  be  observed  in  the  first  or  inflammatory  stage. 
After  this,  the  presence  of  the  callous  tumor,  or  swelling,  will 
be  the  only  local  symptom  of  curb ;  and  this  may  present 
such  a  uniform  elevation  as  to  be  overlooked,  even  by  an  expe- 
rienced eye.  Its  size  varies  considerably,  sometimes  being  so 
small  as  to  be  but  barely  perceptible ;  in  other  cases,  so  largo 
as  to  present  the  appearance  of  deformity. 

In  examining  curb,  the  hand  should  always  be  used,  as  it  is 
important  to  ascertain  not  only  the  existence  of  the  tumor,  but 
its  size  and  the  stage  of  its  progress,  by  which  a  better  idea 
can  be  given  of  the  prospects  of  treatment. 

After  the  inflammation  subsides,  the  lameness  does  not  en- 
tirely disappear,  but  is  not  so  great  as  at  first,  and  is  of  some- 
what different  character;  and,  indeed,  might  be  called  a  stiff- 


CUKB.  205 

ness.  The  horse  steps  quicker  with  the  affected  limb  than  with 
the  sound  one,  which  is  doubtless  occasioned  by  the  obstruction 
the  tumor  causes  when  the  other  leg  is  forward ;  he  steps  fur- 
ther with  the  unsound  than  the  sound  one. 

Causes. — Hereditary  influence  is  generally  conceded  to  have 
something  to  do  in  giving  rise  to  curb.  Certainly,  if  a  horse 
inherits  a  natural  weakness  of  the  tendons  and  ligaments  of 
the  parts  which  are  the  seat  of  the  difficulty,  he  will  be  pecu- 
liarly liable  to  "throw  out  curb." 

Horses  with  a  hough  of  that  peculiar  shape  known  as  "cozy- 
liouglied^'  in  which  the  hough  sets  in  like  that  of  the  cow,  are 
very  liable  to  curb.  The  reason  is  very  obvious,  for  the  ten- 
don, instead  of  working  in  a  straight  line  through  the  ligament, 
works  strongly  against  one  side  of  it.  Young  horses  are  more 
liable  to  curb  than  older  ones,  for  their  muscles  and  ligaments, 
not  being  so  solid,  are  not  so  well  calculated  to  resist  injury  or 
violence. 

The  immediate  causes  of  curb  are  overexertion,  sudden  and 
violent  action,  in  such  a  way  as  to  bruise  the  sheath  of  the 
tendon  where  it  passes  through  the  jing-like  ligament,  or  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  ligament  itself,  or  kicks  or  blows  on  the 
same  parts.  Whatever  may  be  the  injury  producing  it,  inflam- 
mation is  excited  in  the  parts  injured,  which  goes  on  to  one  of  its 
peculiar  terminations,  the  throwing  out  from  the  inflamed  part  a 
thick  liquid,  called  coagulahle  Ii/mjjh,  but  which  soon  commences 
to  become  harder  and  harder,  until  it  becomes  of  an  almost  gristly 
character,  as  felt  in  a  curb  of  long  standing.  It  does  not  present 
the  proper  character  of  a  tumor,  but  an  enlargement  or  great 
thickening  of  the  membrane  which  is  the  seat  of  the  disease. 

Treatment — In  treating  curb,  the  object,  in  the  early  stage, 
is  to  reduce  the  inflammation  and  prevent  the  formation  of  the 
callous  enlargement.  For  this  purpose  there  can  be  no  better 
remedy  used  than  the  following : 

Take — Muriate  of  ammonia 2  ounces. 

Water 1  quart. 

Tincture  of  poison  hemlock 4  ounces. 


206  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

Dissolve  the  ammonia  in  the  water,  and  then  add  the  tincture  of  hemlock. 
Apply  a  roller  or  bandage  so  as  to  cover  the  tumor  four  or  five  thicknesses, 
and  keep  wet  with  the  above  solution. 

The  first  prescription  recommended  for  splint  is  good  m  any 
stage  of  curb.  The  second  one  recommended  for  splint  is  good 
for  curb,  after  the  tumor  has  become  hardened. 

In  the  acute  or  inflammatory  stage  of  curb,  the  horse  should 
have  rest.  Frequent  rubbing  of  the  tumor,  in  curb,  is  of  ad- 
vantage. 

CAPPED  HOUGH. 

This  is  a  swelling  or  tumor,  of  a  soft  character,  appearing  on 
the  point'  of  the  hough  where  the  great  tendon,  called  the 
hamstring,  is  attached  to  the  upper  bone  of  the  hough.  It  is 
simply  an  enlargement  of  one  of  those  little  sacks  situated 
near  where  the  tendons  are  attached,  and  which  are  fully  ex- 
plained under  the  head  of  "Wind-galls."  This  tumor  may 
become  large  and  callous  (hardened)  after  remaining  some 
time.  It  seldom  produces  lameness.  This  description  will 
enable  any  one  to  understand  the  aifection  as  well  as  the  stage 
of  its  progress.  If  the  tumor  is  still  soft  and  yielding,  it  may 
be  treated  with  advantage,  but  if  callous,  it  is  out  of  our  reach. 

Causes. — These  are  blows,  kicks,  or  other  violence  to  the 
point  of  the  hough.  Lying  on  a  hard  floor,  or  even  a  strain, 
may  cause  it;  but  the  manner  in  which  it  is  most  frequently 
produced  is  by  the  horse  kicking,  not  only  in  gears,  but 
even  in  the  stable.  Hence,  when  capped  hough  is  found,  it 
may  safely  be  regarded  as  circumstantial  evidence  of  vicious- 
ness,  and  the  buyer  should  have  satisfactory  evidence  to  remove 
his  suspicion. 

Treatment. — The  free  application  of  tincture  of  iodine,  every 
day,  .over  the  swelling,  will  reduce  it.  Tansy,  hoarhound,  and 
wormwood,  boiled  together  to  make  a  fomentation,  and  bound 
to  the  part,  and  renewed  three  times  a  day,  will  cure  it. 


E;jiLARGEMENT    OF    THE    HOUGH.  207 

The  solution  of  tincture  of  poison  hemlock,  recommended 
in  swelled  hough,  kept  on  this  swelling,  will  doubtless  cure  it. 

F;NLA11GEMENT  OF  THE  HOUGH. 

N'o  particular  description  of  this  ailment  is  necessary,  as  the 
name  sufficiently  indicates  the  seat  and  appearance  of  the 
malady.  There  are  two  stages  of  the  difficulty  wdiich  it  is  im- 
portant to  t)ear  in  mind.  The  first  is  the  inflammatory  stage, 
and  the  second  the  chronic  stage,  or  stage  of  permanent  en- 
largement. 

Symptoms. — After  being  exposed  to  whatever  violence  pro- 
duced the  difficulty,  the  hough-joint  generally,  no  particular 
part  of  it  seeming  to  be  especially  aff'ected,  commences  to  swell, 
and  all  the  other  usual  symptoms  of  inflammation  appear,  as 
heat,  pain,  and  tenderness,  and  also  very  great  lameness.  This 
inflammation  of  the  hough  may  continue  for  a  few  days,  and 
gradually  subside,  leaving  the  part  quite  w^ell.  But  it  is  not 
safe  to  trust  to  nature  to  effect  the  cure  thus,  for  in  many 
cases,  instead  of  pursuing  this  course,  a  very  different  one  will 
be  taken.  The  heat,  pain,  tenderness,  and  lameness  gradually 
pass  away,  but  the  swelling  still  remains.  In  this  case  the 
inflammation  has  terminated  in  a  thickening  of  all  the  liga- 
ments and  membranes  which  were  affected. 

Causes. — Overexertion,  checking  up  suddenly  at  great 
speed,  too  great  weight,  or  concussion  from  any  cause,  may 
give  rise  to  inflammation  of  the  hough.  When  the  inflam- 
mation has  passed  aw^ay,  leaving  chronic  or  continued 
enlargement  of  the  hough,  though  the  horse  may  perform 
ordinary  labor  quite  Avell,  any  strain  of  the  part  will  be  very 
liable  to  cause  a  return  of  the  inflammation  and  lameness.  A 
horse  with  an  enlarged  hough  is  unsound.  One  day's  hard 
labor  may  bring  on  lameness  from  wdiich  he  Avill  never  recover. 
It  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  part  which  has  onc« 
been  the  seat  of  severe  injury  or  disease  will  be  more  liable 
to  give  way  afterward  than  if  it  had  never  been  affected. 


208  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

Treatment. — In  the  first  stage  of  the  disease,  in  which  in- 
flammation is  present,  a  roller  or  bandage  of  flannel  should  be 
so  aj^plied  around  the  hough  as  to  cover  the  afi'ected  part 
several  folds  thick.  This  is  to  be  kept  constantly  wet  with  a 
solution  of  four  ounces  of  tincture  of  arnica  to  one  quart  of 
cold  water. 

If  the  disease  is  not  treated  until  the  stage  of  chronic  en- 
largement has  taken  place,  or  if  the  above  treatment  fails  to 
entirely  reduce  the  swelling,  put  a  blister  on  one  side  of  the 
leg,  covering  most  of  the  swollen  j^art,  and  after  it  is  well, 
blister  the  other  side,  and  when  this  is  well,  blister  again 
in  the  same  place  where  the  first  was  applied,  and  so  on, 
chanirino-  the  blister  until  the  cure  is  efi'ected. 

Or,  keeping  a  bandage  on  for  a  long  time,  and  keeping  it 
wet  with  the  following  solution,  will  cure  it : 

Take — Muriate  of  ammonia \  pouna. 

Tincture  of  poison  hemlock 8  ounces. 

Cold  water 1  gallon. 

Mix,  and  keep  in  a  well-stopped  jug. 

The  application  of  the  tincture  of  iodine,  twice  a  day,  lo  an 
enlarged  hough,  will  cure  it.  I  seldom  use  any  thing  else  in 
this  and  similar  swellings,  after  the  inflammation  has  been 
subdued. 

FISTULA,  OR  FISTULOUS  WITHERS. 

Fistula  is  an  abscess  occurring  about  the  withers  of  the 
liorse.  It  usually  appears  at  one  side  of  the  withers,  generally 
forward  at  about  the  place  where  the  collar  rests ;  sometimes 
as  far  back  as  where  the  front  part  of  the  saddle  rests,  or  at 
any  point  between  these  places ;  and  it  may  even  appear  as 
low  down  on  the  side  of  the  shoulder  as  the  upper  edge  of  the 
shoulder-blade. 

Si/mjjtoms. — The  first  indication  of  the  formation  of  a  fistu- 


FISTULA,    OR   FISTULOUS   WITHERS.  209 

Ions  abscess  that  will  be  likely  to  attract  attention,  is  the 
appearance  of  a  swelling  at  some  one  of  the  points  above 
described.  This  is  not  a  prominent,  but  rather  a  flat,  broad 
tumor,  and  may  be  quite  round  or  oval.  On  examination  by 
the  hand  it  will  be  found  hot,  tender,  and  evidently  deep- 
seated.  If  matter  has  not  formed,  the  tumor  will  be  of  a 
uniform  hardness  all  over,  and  much  care  should  be  exercised 
in  examining  it  to  determine  this  point.  The  ends  of  the 
finger  pressed  over  the  SAvelling  will  soon  detect  a  soft  place 
at  some  point  of  the  tumor,  if  matter  has  formed.  The  tumor 
may  become  cpiite  large  before  matter  or  pus  is  formed,  or  it 
may  be  formed  while  it  is  of  no  considerable  size. 

If  the  tumor  is  let  proceed,  it  increases  in  size,  occasionally 
becoming  enormous,  and  at  the  same  time  the  matter,  or  pus, 
which  at  its  first  commencement  was  deep-seated,  points 
toward  the  surface  or  skin,  and  in  from  one  to  two  weeks  will 
have  properly  "  come  to  a  head,"  as  it  is  called,  when  the 
tumor  opens,  discharging  an  enormous  quantity  of  pus,  often, 
mixed  with  blood,  or  bloody  matter. 

During  all  this  time  the  health  of  the  horse  remains  good,. 
and  there  is  little  or  no  lameness  ;  none,  unless  some  import-- 
ant  muscle  becomes  affected  from  the  inflammation  around  it. 

Such  is  the  ordinary  progress  of  this  malady  from  its. 
earliest  stage  up  to  the  time  it  matures  and  commences  to- 
discharge  matter.  But  it  does  not,  like  a  healthy  abscess,, 
stop  at  this  point  and  commence  to  heal.  On  the  contrary,, 
the  walls  or  sides  of  the  abscess  thicken  and  continue  to  dis- 
charge matter,  which  becomes  more  and  more  offensive  as- 
the  disease  progresses.  Every  thing  seems  to  be  rotting  away 
around  and  beneath  it,  and  the  abscess  is  said  to  be  burrowing- 
in  the  parts  about  it.  Large  sinuses,  or  pipes,  as  they  are 
generally  called,  form  along  the  course  of  the  muscles  iu: 
contact  with  the  abscess,  and  thus  the  ulcerating  process  con- 
tinues to  extend  until  nearly  all  the  muscles  of  the  shoulder 
are  traversed  by  it.  Sometimes  it  passes  down  between  tho 
14 


210  NAVm   ON   THE   HOESE. 

slioulder  and  chest,  and  opens  out  at  the  back  of  the  forearm 
at  the  point  of  the  elbow,  or  it  may  open  in  front  of  the  arm. 

Not  imfrequently  the  broad  processes  of  bone  which  rise  up 
from  the  back-bone  to  form  the  elevation  of  the  withers,  as  well 
as  the  shoulder-blade,  may  be  attacked  and  wasted  away  by 
the  ulceration. 

Thus  the  disease  advances,  becoming  worse  and  worse  at 
every  stage  of  its  destructive  march,  and  the  poor  animal  is 
doomed  to  drag  out  a  miserable  existence,  from  wiiich  there  is 
no  escape  until  the  weary  powers  of  life  succumb  to  the  exhaust- 
ins:  rava2;es  of  the  disease. 

Causes. — The  immediate  cause  of  fistula  is  an  inflammation 
starting  at  some  point  deeply  seated  in  the  part  of  the  shoul- 
der or  withers  where  the  disease  occurs.  The  particular  tissue 
•or  structure  in  which  this  inflammation  begins  has  not  been 
-pointed  out,  whether  it  is  the  cellular  tissue,  the  sheath  of  the 
muscles,  or  the  lymphatic  vessels.  (For  a  description  of 
"  The  Lymphatic  Vessels,"  see  the  article  under  that  head  in 
canother  part  of  this  work.) 

The  causes  which  are  universally  given  by  authors  as  pro- 
•ducing  fistula  are,  the  effects  of  bruises  produced  by  strokes, 
tight  collars,  striking  the  withers  against  beams  in  a  low 
stable,  the  biting  of  other  horses,  and  especially  the  saddle 
pushing  too  far  forward.  So  long,  generally,  and  often  have 
these  causes  been  assigned,  both  by  learned  veterinarians  and 
the  people  generally,  that  it  would  seem  like  presumption  to 
■question  the  correctness  of  this  opinion. 

IN^evertheless,  from  a  careful  study  of  the  nature  of  the  dis- 
^ease,  and  many  observations  which  I  have  made  within  the 
past  few  years,  I  have  become  convinced  that  a  far  more  im- 
.portant  cause  is  lurking  in  the  dark,  and  plays  a  leading  part 
in  the  production  of  fistula  and  poll-evil. 

I  regard  poll-evil  and  fistula  as  of  scrofulous  origin.  They 
.are  the  local  manifestation  of  disease  existing  in  the  con- 
,-stitution.     It    is   well    known    to    physicians    that    a    large 


FISTULA,    OR    FISTULOUS   WITHERS.  211 

proportion  of  the  human  family  have  the  seeds  of  scrofuhi  in 
their  systems,  and  that  it  is  liable  to  manifest  itself  at  any 
time  of  life  in  some  of  its  many  forms,  whenever  any  exciting 
cause  is  brought  to  affect  the  person;  or  it  may  commence 
without  any  particular  provocation.  I  shall  now  state  a  few 
of  my  reasons  for  this  opinion,  and  for  rejecting  the  common 
view  of  the  causes  of  fistula  and  poll-evil. 

In  some  particular  countries,  States,  and  localities,  these 
diseases  are  very  prevalent,  a  large  per  cent,  of  the  horses 
being  affected  by  them,  while  in  others  they  are  of  very  rare 
occurrence — indeed,  almost  unknown — whereas  the  accidents 
and  violence  to  which  they  are  attributed  are  very  generally 
distributed,  being  of  quite  as  frequent  occurrence  in  one 
locality  as  another. 

Some  breeds  of  horses  are  so  perfectly  healthy  that  disease 
of  any  kind  is  seldom  met  with  among  them.  They  are 
equally  exempt  from  fistula  and  poll-evil,  though  it  can  not  be 
supposed  that  they  are  less  exposed  to  the  accidents  referred 
to  than  others. 

Some  horses  may  be  bruised  ever  so  much  by  the  saddle 
pushing  forward,  by  the  collar,  and  stand  in  a  low  stable  with 
a  low  door,  and  often  have  severe  strokes  about  the  withers, 
and  may  be  beaten  over  the  head  with  a  club  or  Avhip-handle, 
or  even  knocked  down,  and  yet  never  show  any  disposition  to 
either  poll-evil  or  fistula,  the  bruises  getting  well  just  as  they 
would  on  any  other  part  of  the  body. 

It  may  be  safely  stated  that  no  positive  evidence  of  any 
injury  can  be  found,  in  five  cases  out  of  six  that  may  be  met 
with ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  in  more  than  one-half  of  them 
there  are  strong  evidences  that  there  had  not  been  a  possi- 
bility of  such  injury. 

It  is  not  unfrequently  the  case  that,  when  treating  a  horse 
for  fistula,  or  soon  after  he  has  got  well,  he  will  take  poll-evil ; 
or  when  treating  for  poll-evil,  or  cured  of  it,  he  will  take 
fistula ;  or  he  may  have  fistula  on  one  side,  and  in  the  same 


212  NAYIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

way  take  it  on  the  other.  It  can  hardly  be  supposed  that  an 
animal  already  laboring  under  one  of  these  aifections  would 
so  abuse  himself  as  to  provoke  the  other,  .if  it  takes  a  bruise 
to  produce  it. 

A  horse  once  cured  of  either  is  very  liable  to  a  relapse,  and 
when  it  does  return,  it  is  quite  as  likely  to  be  the  other  as  the 
original  form  of  the  disease,  and  nearly  as  liable,  if  fistula,  to 
change  its  seat  to  some  other  point  about  the  withers  as  to 
return  at  the  same  place. 

In  three-fourths  of  the  cases  I  have  treated  I  have  been 
able  to  discover  positive  constitutional  derangement.  The 
very  character  of  the  abscess,  its  having  no  tendency  to  heal 
after  the  first  opening  and  discharging  its  contents,  but  rather 
to  commence  eating  in  or  burrowing,  indicates  that  it  is  of  no 
healthy  character,  but  must  have  something  peculiar  about  it, 
or  that  it  must  depend  on  some  constitutional  derangement. 
Indeed,  it  has  almost  every  characteristic  of  a  scrofulous  ulcer 
on  an  extensive  scale,  and  if  it  does,  as  I  am  quite  certain  is 
the  case,  commence  in  inflammation  of  the  small  lymphatic 
glands,  then  may  the  question  of  its  scrofulous  nature  be  con- 
sidered definitely  settled. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  when  the  horse  is  under  the  in- 
fluence of  internal  alterative  treatment,  the  ulcer  will  heal 
much  more  readily  than  when  not  under  such  treatment.  In 
some  cases  it  is  almost  impossible  to  effect  a  cure  without  con- 
stitutional treatment.  Dr.  Dadd  says  he  has  "cured  many 
cases  of  fistula  by  treating  them  as  common  abscesses,  with 
the  application  of  stimulating  antiseptic  and  tonic  poultices, 
and  by  a  jyurifying  course  of  treatment^  with  proper  attention 
to  diet." 

I  have  been  thus  tedious  in  discussing  this  subject,  for  it  is 
a  matter  of  the  first  importance  that  correct  views  should  be  en- 
tertained with  regard  to  the  nature  of  diseases,  so  that  meas- 
ures may  be  taken  to  get  rid  of  a  diseased  stock  or  to  prevent  its 


FISTULA,    OR    FISTULOUS   WITHERS.  213 

propagation,  as  well  as  to  be  able  to  treat  the  disease  intelli- 
gently. 

Treatment. — The  object  in  this  case  is  to  put  back  the  disease, 
if  possible.  If  this  can  not  bo  done,  hasten  it  to  a  head  as 
quickly  as  possible,  and  open  the  abscess  freely ;  then  use  medi- 
cines to  soften  the  walls  of  the  abscess,  so  as  to  convert  it  into 
a  healthy,  healing  sore.  Also,  where  the  system  is  much 
affected,  give  tonic  and  alterative  medicines. 

To  put  back  the  tumor,  raise  a  blister  large  enough  to  cover 
the  entire  extent  of  the  swelling.  Roweling  will  also  stop  it. 
I  use  the  following: 

Take — Powdered  Spanisli  flies 1^  ounces. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  let  it  stand  twenty-four  or  forty-eight  liours. 

Shake  it  well,  and  pour  it  in  the  hand  and  rub  it  on  the 
tumor,  rubbing  it  in  thoroughly.  It  will  take  from  three  to 
five  minutes  to  get  suificient  of  the  liquid  applied.  The  second 
day  grease  the  blistered  part  with  lard,  and  the  next  day  wash 
the  grease  off,  and  when  the  surface  is  dry  apply  the  blistering 
liquid  the  same  way  as  before,  and  continue  the  blistering  the 
same  way  until  the  inflammation  and  swelling  are  gone.  If 
the  blister  does  not  put  it  back,  it  will  make  it  come  to  a  head 
much  sooner  than  without  it. 

At  the  same  time  the  blistering  is  commenced,  give  a 
good  physic  of  aloes,  and  repeat  it  every  third  day  while 
blistering. 

If  matter  has  formed,  let  it  come  to  a  head,  or  hasten  it  with 
warm  flax-seed  poultices,  and  when  it  has  pointed  or  come  to  a 
head,  open  it  wide.  The  knife  used  for  this  purpose  should  be 
very  sharp,  and  should  go  well  through  to  the  matter,  and  the 
opening  should  be  made  quite  two  inches  wide.  If  it  can  be 
done,  an  opening  from  the  bottom  out  at  the  side  should  be 
made,  and  kept  open.  Then  the  following  ointment  may  be 
used: 


214  NAVIX   ON   THE   HOESE. 

Take — Verdigris,  po-wdered i  ounce. 

Blue  vitriol,  powdered 1  ounce. 

Corrosive  sublimate 4  drams. 

Resin,  powdered 2  ounces. 

Arsenic 3  drams. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Aloes,  powdered ^  ounce. 

Alum,  powdered ^  ounce. 

Fresh  lard 1  quart. 

Mix  thoroughly  to  form  an  ointment.  Put  in  a  wide-mouthed  vessel,  but 
keep  it  well  covered. 

It  is  soft  enough  for  use  in  warm  weather,  but  before  using  in 
cold  weather  the  vessel  containing  it  should  be  set  in  a  pan  of 
hot  water  until  it  softens.  Squeeze  all  the  matter  out  of  the 
abscess,  and  then  drop  it  full  of  the  ointment.  Use  a  spoon  or 
flat  paddle  to  put  it  in  with.  The  ointment  is  to  be  put  in  the 
abscess  once  a  day.  It  should  be  well  stirred  before  using,  every 
time.  This  is  the  only  reliable  cure  I  know  of  which  does  not 
leave  the  horse  crest-fallen.  If  the  general  health  of  the  horse 
is  much  aifected,  one  or  two  physics  a  week  will  be  of  ad- 
vantage, and  the  following  alterative  treatment  will  be  bene- 
ficial : 

Take — Flowers  of  sulphur  4  ounces. 

Powdered  sassafras 6  ounces. 

Powdered  golden-seal 4  ounces. 

Powdered  poplar  bark 8  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  table-spoonful  twice  a  day,  in  the  ieed. 

The  horse  should  be  kept  out  of  the  wet,  cold,  or  hot  sun- 
shine. His  diet  should  be  green  grass,  bran,  scalded  shorts,  or 
any  soft  but  not  stimulating  food. 

POLL-EVIL. 

Poll-evil  is  an  abscess,  making  its  appearance  on  the  poll,  or 
nape  of  the  neck. 

Symjptoms. — The  first  appearance  of  poll-evil  is  an  oval,  hot, 
and  tender  swelling,  or  tumor,  appearing  on  the  poll,  or  nape  of 


POLL-EVIL.  215 

the  neck.  If  not  dispersed,  or  ^''put  haclc,^^  the  inflammation  goes 
on  until  matter  is  formed,  which  points  to  the  surface,  and  the 
tumor  breaks,  discharging  a  large  quantity  of  thick,  offensive 
matter.  It  shows  no  disposition  to  heal,  but  continues  to  dis- 
charge; the  ulcer,  for  such  it  nosv  is,  burrows  deej)er  and 
deeper  among  the  parts  in  which  it  is  located,  causing  stiffness 
of  the  neck,  and  finally  divides  into  sinuses,  or  what  are  com- 
monly called  pipes,  which  run  in  different  directions,  involving 
the  most  of  the  muscles  of  the  neck,  rendering  the  horse  a 
most  loathsome  object. 

Causes. — Among  the  causes  commonly  recognized  as  pro- 
ducing this  disease  are,  the  pressure  of  a  tight  headstall,  the 
reining  down  of  the  head  with  a  martingale  which  stretches 
the  muscles  of  the  poll  too  tight,  striking  the  head  against 
the  wall  or  joists  when  too  low,  or  against  any  other  object. 
Blows  dealt  on  the  poll  have  doubtless  brought  it  on.  Dr. 
Dadd  suggests  that  neglecting  to  keep  the  part  clean,  passing 
it  by  in  grooming,  may  give  rise  to  an  irritation  of  the  skin 
which  will  ultimately  degenerate  into  poll-evil.  Any  violence 
to  the  part  which  is  the  seat  of  the  disease  may  cause  it. 
The  same  remarks  made  with  regard  to  the  scrofulous  char- 
acter of  fistula  are  equally  true  with  regard  to  poll-evil. 

Treatment. — The  principles  on  which  poll-evil  is  treated  are 
the  same  as  the  treatment  of  fistula:  First,  discuss  or  "put 
back"  the  disease  before  matter  is  formed;  second,  if  matter 
is  formed,  let  it  come  to  a  head,  or  hasten  it  with  poultices ; 
third,  open  the  tumor  or  abscess  freely,  so  that  the  matter  will 
more  readily  run  out;  fourth,  use  such  medicines  as  will 
cause  the  hardened  walls  of  the  abscess  to  soften,  and  leave 
a  healthy,  healing  ulcer. 

The  treatment  necessary  to  accomplish  these  objects  is  the 
very  same  as  recommended  for  fistula,  and  the  manner  of 
using  the  remedies  is  the  same.  The  abscess  in  poll-evil, 
after  it  has  been  opened  at  the  top,  may  readily  be  opened  at 
the  bottom.     Find  at  which  side  the  cavity  of  the  abscess  lies; 


216  NAVIN   ox   THE    HORSE. 

then  take  a  seton-needle  and  pass  it  down  into  the  bottom  of 
the  abscess,  and  out  at  the  side  of  the  neck,  and  keep  this 
hole  open  so  that  the  matter  will  run  out  of  it.  The  crooked 
blade  of  the  seton-needle  enables  one  to  perform  this  opera- 
tion easily. 

SPLINT. 

This  is  a  callous,  hardened,  or  bony  tumor,  or  lump,  grow- 
ing on,  or  near,  one  of  the  splint-bones. 

In  order  to  clearly  understand  this  difficulty,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  consider  the  structure  of  the  parts  wdiich  are  the 
seat  of  the  affection. 

The  leg  is  composed  of  three  bones,  namely,  the  cannon  and 
two  splint-bones.  The  cannon  extends  from  the  knee  to  the 
fetlock-joint.  It  is  a  long  and  round  bone,  and  at  the  uj^per 
end,  where  it  unites  with  the  bones  of  the  knee,  is  marked  by 
a  high  ridge  running  from  the  back  to  the  front  of  the  head 
of  the  bone,  and  another  ridge  at  each  side,  thus  presenting  a 
double  pully-like  surface,  admitting  of  a  backward  and  for- 
ward motion,  but  no  lateral  or  side  motion.  At  the  back  of 
the  cannon-bone,  and  to  the  outer  and  inner  edges  of  it,  are 
situated  the  two  splint-bones.  These  have  a  head,  and  grad- 
ually taper  off  to  a  point,  being  thin  and  flat ;  they  are  some- 
what thick  at  the  top,  but  get  thinner  toward  the  point.  The 
heads  of  these  bones  help  to  form  the  surface  on  which  the 
three  lower  knee-bones  rest;  indeed,  the  inner  sj^lint-bone 
alone  supports  the  inner  knee-bone.  The  splint-bones  extend 
a  little  more  than  half-way  down  the  cannon,  or  shin-bone, 
lying  with  their  flat  surfaces  to  it,  and  firmly  united  to  it  by  a 
strong,  tough,  and  very  elastic  substance,  called  fibro-carti- 
lage,  throughout  their  whole  length,  which  admits  of  but  little 
motion.  The  chief  object  of  these  bones  is  to  form  a  large 
surface  for  the  bones  of  the  knee  to  rest  upon,  and,  by  their 
peculiar  elastic  union  with  the  cannon-bone,  to  break  the 
force  of  the  weight  of  the  animal  when  thrown  on  them. 


SPLINT.  217 

This  substance,  uniting  the  splint-bones  with  the  shank- 
bone,  is  liable  to  be  the  seat  of  inflammation ;  and  particularly 
while  the  horse  is  young,  before  this  fibro-cartilage  has  become 
sufficiently  strong.  Inflammation  may  be  excited  in  it  by  a 
blow  on  the  leg,  by  the  horse  jumping  and  lighting  on  solid 
ground,  and  like  violence;  in  colts,  by  j^utting  them  on  hard 
roads  before  this  ligamentous  substance  is  sufiiciently  strong 
to  bear  the  repeated  jars  it  receives.  At  the  point  where  the 
inflammation  is  seated,  a  thick,  jelly-like  substance  will  be 
thrown  out,  forming  a  tumor;  but  which  soon  commences  to 
form  bone  through  it,  and  finally  becomes  thoroughly  ossified 
or  turned  into  bone,  uniting  the  splint  and  large  bone  firmly 
together. 

When  the  splint  is  forming  there  is  generally  lameness,  but, 
as  it  progresses,  the  inflammation  and  tenderness  subside,  and 
the  lameness  disappears;  though,  should  the  tumor  be  so 
situated  as  to  interfere  with  the  motion  of  the  joint  or  the 
free  action  of  the  tendons,  it  may  cause  permanent  lameness. 
Splint  almost  always  makes  its  appearance  on  the  inside  of 
the  leg.  This  is  doubtless  because  the  inner  splint-bone  is 
nearer  the  center  of  the  body,  and  necessarily  receives  more 
of  its  weight.  The  inner  splint-bone  also  supports,  alone, 
one  of  the  three  lower  knee-bones.  Raising  the  inside  of  the 
heel  of  the  shoe  too  high  also  causes  greater  weight  to  be 
thrown  on  the  inner  splint-bone. 

An  experienced  eye  will  detect  a  splint  at  a  glance,  but  it 
may  be  known  to  any  person  by  passing  the  hand  from  the 
knee  down  along  the  splint-bones,  when,  if  there  is  splint, 
either  a  smooth  or  a  knotted  tumor  will  be  found  on  or  near 
the  splint-bone.  The  knotted  tumor  has  been  called  tubercu- 
lated  splint.  Splint  may  not  impair  the  usefulness  of  a 
horse,  when  not  situated  so  as  to  interfere  with  the  free  action 
of  the  joint  or  the  tendons,  but  it  can  hardly  be  expected  to 
be  entirely  disregarded  by  the  dealer. 

Treatment. — If  the  treatment  is  applied  in  the  early  stage 


218  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

of  the  disease,  it  may  have  the  effect  of  stopping  its  progress 
and  reducing  the  swelling.  The  following  treatment  has  been 
used  with  as  much  benefit  as  can  be  expected  in  this  disease: 

Take— Tincture  of  iodine 2  ounces. 

Aqua  ammonia 2  ounces. 

Powdered  cantharides ^  ounce. 

Oil  of  spike 1  ounce. 

Oil  of  hemlock , 1  ounce. 

Mis  well,  to  form  a  liniment.  Apply  with  the  hand,  rubbing  well,  every 
other  day,  until  the  cure  is  effected.  Shake  the  bottle  well  before  using  the 
medicine. 

The  next  prescription  is  more  active: 

Take— Corrosive  sublimate 2  drams. 

Crude  mercury 1  dram. 

Lard 4  ounces, 

Mix,  and  rub  well  together,  to  form  an  ointment.  Rub  the  lump  with  it 
every  third  day  until  it  is  cured. 

BONE-SPAVIN. 

A  deposit  of  bone  on  the  inside,  and  at  the  lower  part  of 
the  hough,  about  the  union  of  the  cannon-bone  with  the  small 
or  w^edge-bones  of  the  hough,  forming  a  tumor  of  greater  or 
less  size,  constitutes  what  is  generally  known  as  bone-spavin. 
It  produces  complete  stiffness  of  the  bones  between  which  it 

occurs. 

Spiijjtoms. — Many  of  the  earlier  symptoms  of  bone-spavin 
may  entirely  elude  detection,  and  the  affection,  consequently, 
not  be  observed  until  it  has  progressed  to  a  serious  extent. 
In  order  to  give  a  complete  explanation  of  the  affection,  it 
will  be  well  to  recur  to  the  bony  structure  of  the  hough.  Ex- 
amining the  hough  from  above,  we  have  the  lower  head  or  end 
of  the  thigh-bone  marked  by  three  ridges  and  two  grooves, 
from  before  backward,  and  resting  on  a  peculiar  shaped  bone, 
called  the  astragalus,  which  is  marked  by  two  high,  curved 


BONE-SPAVIN.  219 

ridges,  exactly  corresponding  with  the  grooves  of  the  bone 
above;  also,  behind  this  latter  bone,  the  bone  above  rests 
against  another  bone,  called  the  os  ccdcis,  (spur-like  bone), 
which  projects  upward  and  backward,  and  forms  the  promi- 
nence to  which  the  hamstring  is  attached.  This  joint  admits 
of  very  free  hinge  motion,  but  of  no  side  motion.  It  is  the 
hough-joint  j^roper.  These  two  bones  rest  on  the  flat  or  irreg- 
ularly concave  surfaces,  or  upper  sides  of  two  other  bones, 
the  cuhoides  (or  cube-bone)  behind,  and  the  larger  cuniform 
(or  wedge-shaped)  bone  in  front.  The  larger  wedge-shaped 
bone  rests  on  two  other  smaller  wedge-shaped  bones.  The 
cube-shaped  bone  rests  on  the  head  of  the  outer  sj)lint-bone 
and  part  of  the  head  of  the  cannon  or  shank-bone.  The 
smaller  wedge-bone  rests  almost  entirely  on  the  inner  splint- 
bone,  and  the  middle  wedge-bone  entirely  on  the  head  of  the 
cannon-bone.  These  joints  admit  of  but  little  motion,  excej^t 
the  hough-joint  proper,  as  we  have  seen.  They  are  bound 
together  by  very  strong  ligaments,  and  between  their  points 
of  contact  are  lined  Avith  elastic  cartilages  covered  with  the 
synovial  membrane,  which  furnishes  the  joint-oil  to  these 
many  joints.  The  object  of  this  arrangement  seems  to  be  to 
prevent  concussion.  The  splint-bones  are  attached  to  the 
cannon-bone  by  firm  cartilage  ;  they  are  placed  behind  it,  one 
toward  each  side ;  they  have  a  head,  but  terminate  in  a  point 
about  half-way  down  the  cannon-bone. 

From  the  causes,  w^hich  will  presently  be  explained,  inflam- 
mation is  excited  in  the  cartilage  which  unites  the  splint-bone 
with  the  shank  or  cannon-bone;  the  cartilage  commences  to 
become  ossified  or  turned  into  bone;  and,  finally,  the  union 
between  the  two  bones  is  changed  from  the  yielding  or  elastic 
cartilaginous  character  to  a  firm,  bony  union,  precisely  of  the 
same  character  of  splint  on  the  fore-leg.  This  uniformly 
takes  place  on  the  inner  splint-bone,  but  the  formation  of  bony 
deposit  does  not  stop  here.  Having  once  commenced,  and  the 
causes  still  continuing  to  operate,  a  hard  tumor  will  be  ob- 


220  NAVIX   ON   THE    HORSE. 

served  to  commence  forming  immediately  in  front  of  the  nnion 
of  the  head  of  the  S2:)lint-bone  with  the  cannon-bone.  This  bony 
tumor  may  continue  to  enlarge  and  extend  until  it  has  involved 
the  smaller  wedges,  which  lie  nearest  its  origin,  thus  destroy- 
.ing  the  slight  motion  of  which  they  admitted,  and  consolidat- 
ing them  with  the  bones  below.  Still  continuing  its  march, 
it  next  reaches  the  upper  or  large  wedge-bone,  firmly  uniting 
it  to  those  on  which  it  rests.  It  may  also  extend  round  so  as 
to  involve  the  cube-bone,  behind.  This  extensive  ossification 
may  have  taken  place,  consolidating  the  several  bones  in- 
volved into  one  solid  bone,  as  it  were,  and  yet  no  great  degree 
of  lameness  be  produced,  for  the  motion  of  which  they  ad- 
mitted was  but  limited.  But  a  more  important  joint  or  articu- 
lation may  be  reached,  that  is,  the  union  between  the  astraffalus 
and  the  thigh-bone,  which  is  the  most  important  joint  of  the 
hough,  being,  in  reality,  the  true  hough-joint.  When  this  is 
the  case,  the  lameness  is  so  great  as  to  render  the  horse  entirely 
worthless. 

It  is  proper  to  remark  that  the  same  difficulty  may  arise 
from  inflammation  of  the  ligaments  of  any  of  the  small  bones 
of  the  hough;  but  such  cases  are  certainly  rare,  the  disease 
almost  always  commencing  at  the  point  indicated. 

I  have  thus  far  described  the  progress  of  the  bony  enlarge- 
ment, which,  in  size,  may  vary  very  gToatly,  but  which  can 
easily  be  detected  by  the  eye  or  the  hand.  But  it  must  not  be 
forgotten  that  some  horses  have  naturally  very  prominent 
houghs,  and  it  is  not  at  all  impossible  for  a  careless  or  inexpe- 
rienced observer  to  mistake  an  unusually  large  and  rugged 
development  of  the  heads  of  the  cannon  and  splint-bones  for 
spavin.  But  a  careful  examination  and  comparison  of  both 
legs  will  prevent  such  a  blunder.  When  spavin  is  forming, 
the  first  thing  that  will  likely  attract  attention  is  lameness, 
w^hich  may  be  of  slight  or  very  serious  character.  When  this 
is  observed,  a  careful  examination  will  usually  detect  a  degree 
of  heat  and  tenderness  in  the  region  of  the  inner  splint-bone. 


BOXE-SPAYIX.  221 

If  the  examination  is  made  while  there  is  only  inflammation 
of  the  part  aifected,  or  before  a  perceptible  tumor  is  formed, 
it  must  not  be  hastily  performed.  The  thumb  should  be  placed 
against  the  splint-bone  and  pressure  made  in  every  direction. 
Mere  flinching,  at  first,  must  not  be  mistaken  for  positive  indi- 
cation of  pain,  but  tenderness  must  be  clearly  indicated. 

The  lameness  will  continue  after  the  tumor  has  commenced 
to  form,  until  the  membrane  which  covers  the  bone,  called  the 
periosteum,  and  under  which  the  tumor  is  situated,  has  accom- 
modated itself  to  the  pressure  of  the  tumor  which  had  stretched 
it.  After  this  the  lameness  subsides,  or  only  remains  in  conse- 
quence of  the  interference  of  the  tumor  with  the  joint.  The 
lameness  does  not  at  all  seem  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the 
tumor,  often  a  small  tumor  being  accompanied  with  very  great 
lameness,  and  a  large  one  with  but  little  or  none.  A  peculiarity 
of  the  lameness  of  spavin  is,  that  it  is  intermitting,  (goes  and 
comes),  the  horse  being  very  lame  for  a  time,  and  then,  in  a 
little  while,  quite  free  from  it.  A  horse  may  be  quite  lame 
when  first  taken  out  of  the  stable,  but  become  entirely  free 
from  lameness  after  a  little  exercise.  This  peculiarity  of 
spavin  lameness  should  never  be  lost  sight  of;  and  if  a  horse  is 
suspected,  he  should  always  be  examined  in  the  morning  before 
he  has  been  exercised,  or  when  standing  awhile  after  exercise. 
A  variety  of  spavin  may  be  met  with  in  which  the  bony  de- 
posit commences  in  the  cartilage  between  the  bones  of  the 
hough.  This  may  greatly  puzzle  any  but  the  most  experienced 
observer.  The  means  of  detecting  this  are,  the  heat  and  ten- 
derness about  the  part,  the  irregular  character  of  the  lame- 
ness, the  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  horse  lifts  his  limb, 
and,  finally,  the  absence  of  any  other  cause  of  the  lameness. 
This  case  may  progress  until  the  joints  have  become  exten- 
sively anchylosed,  or  stiffened,  before  the  tumor  appears,  but 
when  it  does  manifest  itself,  it  will  be  on  the  inside  of  the  leg. 

Causes. — The  investigation  of  the  causes  of  spavin  is  a  sub- 
ject of  more  importance  than  the  tracing  of  its  symptoms  or 


222  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

describing  the  treatment ;  for,  until  the  causes  of  this  destruct- 
ive and  universally  prevalent  malady  are  generally  understood 
and  appreciated  by  our  farmers  and  breeders,  we  can  not  expect 
them  to  take  those  precautionary  measures  which  are  necessary 
to  prevent  its  occurrence. 

For  the  purj)ose  of  investigation,  the  causes  of  spavin  may 
be  considered  in  two  classes :  predisposing  causes,  or  such  as 
render  the  system  in  a  proper  condition  for  developing  spavin; 
and  exciting  causes,  or  such  as  immediately  cause  the  disease 
to  commence. 

Among  the  predisposing  causes,  that  which  overshadows  all 
others  is  hereditary  predisposition ;  that  is,  the  colt  inherits 
from  its  parents  a  peculiar  liability  to  spavin,  so  that  the 
slightest  exciting  cause  will  be  sufficient  to  bring  on  the  disease, 
or  it  may  commence  at  any  time  without  any  other  cause  than 
the  hereditary  predisposition,  and  progress  to  its  most  de- 
structive termination. 

Indeed,  it  is  conceded  by  the  ablest  writers  that  the  disease 
itself  is  hereditary — transmitted  to  the  offspring  by  a  spavined 
parent,  just  as  a  large-headed  shank-bone,  or  large  joints  gen- 
erally, in  the  parent,  will  beget  the  same  type  in  the  progeny, 
(offspring). 

It  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  say  that  nearly  all  this 
hereditary  mischief  is  the  result^of  putting  mares  to  spavined 
stallions,  or  breeding  old,  broken-down,  stove-up,  or  spavined 
traps  of  mares.  Such  mares  are  only  lit  to  raise  mules  from, 
the  mule  being  proof  against  disease,  and  almost  so  against 
hereditary  taints,  and  just  as  profitable  to  the  breeder  as  the 
very  best  colts,  which  he  can  not  reasonably  expect  from  his 
old  or  diseased  mares,  even  though  he  should  breed  them  to 
the  best  stallions. 

Certain  breeds  or  stocks  of  horses  seem  peculiarly  liable 
to  spavin.  This  should  be  taken  into  consideration  by  breeders ; 
for,  though  the  horse  himself  may  not  be  affected,  if  the  pre- 
disposition exists  in  the  family,  his  colts  will  be  liable  to  it. 


BOXE-SPAYIX.  223 

We  come  now  to  consider  the  existing  causes  of  spavin.  Re- 
curring again  to  the  structure  of  the  hough,  it  will  be  remem- 
bered that  the  inner  splint-bone  bears  nearly  the  entire  weight 
thrown  on  one  of  the  wedge-bones,  and  also  that  it  is  situated 
near  the  center  of  the  hind  parts,  and  from  these  circumstances 
it  has  a  great  weight  to  sustain.  Hence,  when  the  leg  is  sub- 
jected to  any  undue  exertion,  this  disadvantage  is  greatly  in- 
creased and  an  injury  to  this  part  is  most  likely  to  take  place. 

By  letting  young  colts  follow  the  dam  when  traveling  on 
hard  roads,  thus  exerting  and  jamng  its  joints  more  than  they 
can  bear,  will  give  rise  to  inflammation  at  the  union  of  the 
splint  and  shank-bone,  and  produce  spavin.  Allowing  it  to 
follow  the  dam  on  the  farm  all  day,  when  she  is  at  work,  will 
have  the  same  effect.  Allowing  boys  or  dogs  to  run  colts, 
making  them  jump  fences  or  logs,  or  kick  violently,  is  another 
manner  of  producing  this  mischief. 

Setting  horses  to  severe  drudgery  when  too  young,  or  hard 
pulling  at  any  age,  especially  in  the  hands  of  a  ci^'uel  or  pas- 
sionate driver,  pulling  up  hill,  and  breaking  or  slipping,  run- 
ning through  a  tough  swamp  or  mire,  and  especially  kicking 
and  missing  the  object,  will  cause  spavin,  as  also  bad  shoeing. 

But  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  a  horse  may  escape  spavin, 
even  though  exposed  to  any  or  all  of  these  exciting  causes. 
Nature  has  "clothed  the  horse  with  strength,"  and  when  free 
from  hereditary  weakness  he  is  not  only  capable  of  enduring 
his  ordinary  labor,  but  also  of  passing  through  many  hardships 
unharmed.  But  it  is  not  so  with  one  having  the  hereditary 
predisposition ;  with  him  the  disease  is  only  lying  inactive, 
waiting  an  opportunity  to  develop  itself. 

I  have  been  thus  elaborate  in  discussing  the  causes  of  spavin 
so  that  farmers  and  breeders  may  be  induced  to  guard  against 
propagating  this  unsoundness,  which  is  now  doing  more  to 
injure  the  value  of  our  horses  than  any  other  to  which  the 
horse  is  subject.  And  this  becomes  the  more  necessary  from  the 
fact  that  but  little  can  be  expected  from  the  most  skillful  treat- 


224  NAVIN    ox    THE    HORSE. 

ment  at  any  stage  of  the  disease,  and  absolutely  nothing  in  ita 
advanced  stage. 

Treatment. — To  think  of  being  able  to  cause  a  bony  tumor, 
which  had  taken  the  place  of  soft  parts,  to  be  absorbed  and 
leave  the  parts  sound,  is  contrary  to  good  sense  and  experience. 
But  it  is  a  rational  object  to  endeavor  to  fc,top  the  inflammation 
which  is  present  at  any  stage  of  spavin,  and  io  stop  the  further 
conversion  of  the  cartilages  and  ligaments  about  ihe  joint  into 
bone. 

To  accomplish  this  object,  let  the  hair  over  the  tumor  be 
clipped  oif  as  close  as  possible ;  then — 

Take — Gum  euphorbium 1  ounce. 

Powdered  cantharides 1  ounce. 

Aqua  ammonia 2  ounces. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 2  ounces. 

Tincture  of  iodine 1  ounce. 

Corrosive  sublimate 3  drams. 

Fresh  lard 1^  pounds. 

Mix  thoroughly  together,  and  keep  in  a  well-covered  pot  or  can. 

Apply  this  ointment  all  over  the  tumor,  rubbing  it  in  well 
with  the  hand.  Let  it  remain  on  two  days,  then  grease  the 
part  well  with  lard,  every  day,  for  four  days.  Then  wash  off 
with  soapsuds  and  apply  the  ointment  as  before,  and  continue 
the  same  treatment  until  the  cure  is  effected.  During  this 
time  the  horse  should  be  kept  in  a  cool,  clean  stable,  and  al- 
lowed cooling  feed. 

Some  object  to  as  strong  treatment  as  the  above,  and  insist 
that  better  effects  follow  a  merely  cooling  and  solvent  treat- 
ment. With  this  view  the  persevering  use  of  the  following 
will  be  found  valuable :  Dissolve  two  ounces  of  muriate  of 
ammonia  in  one  quart  of  water,  and  then  add  four  ounces  of 
tincture  of  poison  hemlock.  A  long  roller,  or  bandage,  is  to  be 
wrapped  around  the  hough,  so  that  several  thicknesses  of  cloth 
will  lie  over  the  tumor.     That  part  of  the  bandage  cover- 


SADDLE-GALL COLLAE-GALL.  225 

ing  the  tumor  is  to  be  wet  three  or  four  times  a  day  with 
the  liquid. 

Rest  and  light  feed  are  required  with  this  treatment. 

SADDLE-GALL. 

This  is  an  inflamed  tumor,  resulting  from  the  bruising  of  a 
bad  saddle,  at  some  point  on  the  back.  It  is  only  such  at  first, 
but,  if  neglected  and  repeatedly  bruised  by  the  saddle,  it  may 
degenerate  into  a  very  troublesome  sore. 

Treatment. — Have  the  defect  of  the  saddle  remedied,  or  get  a 
better  one.  If  the  tumor  is  just  coming,  bathe  it  well  with 
cold  water.  Then  place  a  bundle  of  Jamestown  leaves  under 
the  saddle,  on  the  tumor,  and  the  horse  may  still  be  ridden,  and 
it  will  get  well.     • 

If  the  tumor  has  been  neglected  for  some  time,  and  is  quite 
hard,  but  no  matter  formed  in  it,  blister  it,  and  repeat  the  blister 
every  third  day.  If  matter  has  formed,  open  it  well,  and  use- 
the  ointment  recommended  for  fistula  and  poll-evil,  or  any- 


healing  salve. 


COLLAR-GALL. 


This  is  the  same  character  of  sore  as  saddle-gall.  If  badly- 
treated  or  neglected,  it  will  leave  a  scar  or  lump  easily  irritated, 
by  the  collar,  and  thus  be  the  source  of  permanent  mischief. 

Treatment. — Rest  and  cold  water,  often  applied,  may  reduce' 
the  inflammation  at  once,  if  it  is  just  commencing;  but  the- 
best  plan  is  to  put  a  rowel  under  it,  below  where  the  collar- 
presses.  This  will  draw  the  inflammation  from  the  tumor.  If 
matter  has  formed,  proceed  the  same  as  recommended  in  sad- 
dle-gall. Indeed,  the  same  course  from  the  first  would  do  well,, 
even  if  rowcling  be  added. 
15 


226  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

STRAINS,  OR  SPRAINS. 

A  STEAm  is  a  severe  wrenching  of  the  muscles,  tendons,  or 
ligaments  of  a  part.  Some  of  the  fibers  of  the  part  may  be 
lacerated  or  torn.  Strains  constitute  an  important  class  of 
the  accidents  of  the  horse.  Strains  of  many  parts  deserve 
special  consideration;  as  strain  of  the  coffin-joint,  of  the  back 
sinews,  of  the  stifle,  of  the  shoulder,  of  the  back,  of  the  hip- 
joint,  of  the  knee,  and  of  the  pastern-joint. 

SWEENY. 

This  is  an  affection  of  the  muscles  of  the  outer  side  of  the 
.shoulder.  It  is  very  common  in  the  Western  States.  It  is 
•characterized  by  a  shrinking  of  the  shoulder,  with  lameness. 
Jt  is  atrophy,  or  wasting  away,  of  the  muscles. 

Si/mjytoms. — The  symptoms  of  sweeny  are  easily  detected. 
The  first  observed  will  generally  be  a  slight  lameness,  particu- 
larly under  the  saddle  or  in  harness.  "When  this  is  observed, 
the  horse  will  be  found  to  stand  with  the  foot  of  the  affected 
side  extended  forward  and  a  little  outward,  evidently  for  the 
purpose  of  resting  the  tired  and  sore  muscles.  On  examining 
Ihe  shoulder,  the  muscles  over  the  shoulder-blade  will  be  found 
: shrunken  on  the  affected  side,  and  on  kneeding,  bruising,  or 
pulling  the  skin  of  the  shoulder,  the  horse  will  show  signs  of 
pain  and  tenderness.  If  there  is  any  doubt  of  the  case,  by 
getting  on  the  horse,  and  comparing  the  two  shoulders,  any 
^difference  in  the  size  may  be  discovered. 

Causes. — This  difficulty  results  from  strain  of  the  muscles 
laffected,  causing  them  to  waste  or  shrink  away.  It  more  fre- 
•quently  occurs  in  young  horses,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  year. 

Treatment. — The  object  of  the  treatment  is  to  remove  that 
morbid  or  diseased  condition  of  the  muscles  of  the  outside  of 
the  shoulder,  which  causes  them  to  waste  away  or  become  atro- 
phied.    Use  the  following  liniment: 


STRAIN   OF   THE    INSIDE   MUSCLE   OF   THE    SHOULDER.      227 

Take — Oil  of  spike 2  ounces. 

Oil  of  origanum 2  ounces. 

Aqua  ammonia 2  ounces. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 2  ounces. 

Sweet  oil * ...  2  ounces. 

Alcohol 2  ounces. 

Mis,  to  form  a  liniment. 

This  is  to  be  applied  freely  to  the  shrunken  parts,  and  well 
rubbed  in,  every  other  day.     Four  applications  will  cure  it. 

The  disease  may  be  cured  either  by  a  seton  or  rowels.  If 
the  seton  is  preferred,  the  seton-needle  should  be  armed  with  a 
tape  of  sufficient  length ;  the  needle  is  passed  through  the  skin 
at  the  upper  border  of  the  shrunken  part,  and  passed  down 
under  the  skin  and  out  at  the  lower  border.  The  tape  is  then 
drawn  through,  and  the  ends  tacked  or  knotted  together.  The 
tape  should  be  smeared  with  Venice  turpentine,  or  fifteen  or 
twenty  drops  of  tincture  of  Spanish  flies  may  be  dropped  into 
the  upper  opening.  The  seton  should  be  turned  and  washed 
every  day.  In  fifteen  or  twenty  days  the  seton  may  be  taken 
out,  and  the  sweeny  will  be  cured. 

But  I  much  prefer  the  use  of  rowels.  Three  will  be  suffi- 
cient— one  put  in  above,  one  in  the  middle,  and  one  below. 
The  mode  of  preparing  and  inserting  rowels,  and  attending  to 
them,  is  described  in  the  article  on  "Rowels,"  which  see. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  INSIDE  MUSCLE  OF  THE  SHOULDER. 

This  difficulty  is  of  less  frequent  occurrence  than  strain  of 
the  outside  muscles  of  the  shoulder,  but  is  a  much  more  formi- 
dable ailment.  The  difficulty  is  in  the  great  saw-muscle,  which 
is  the  principal  muscle  in  bearing  the  weight  of  the  body,  and 
connecting  the  forearm  with  the  body. 

Sfjmjjtoms. — I  can  not  give  a  better  knowledge  of  this  alfec- 
tion  than  by  giving  the  history  of  a  case  which  recently  came 
under  my  observation.  The  subject  was  a  large  draught-horse, 
used  in  a  team  for  switching  railroad  cars.     He  was  a  fine,  mus- 


228  *  NAYIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

cular,  heavy  horse,  thirteen  years  old.  In  this  case  both  the 
inside  and  ontside  muscles  of  the  shoulder  were  aifected,  the 
outside  presenting  a  true  case  of  SAveeny,  or  atrophy  of  the 
muscles,  but  which  yielded  to  outward  applications  in  a  short 
time.  The  injury  occurred  in  the  following  manner:  The  span 
of  horses  were  hitched  to  a  long  rope  which  was  attached  to 
the  cars,  and  the  horses  then,  at  a  brisk  pace,  started  up  the 
grade,  and  when  they  reached  the  top,  at  which  it  was  intended 
to  leave  the  cars,  the  horses  were  turned  off  the  track  and  left 
standing  in  a  quartering  direction.  The  cars  came  on,  by  the 
force  acquired,  up  near  to  the  horses,  but,  being  still  on  the 
grade,  instead  of  stoi)ping,  as  intended  by  the  driver,  they 
started,  and  soon  the  whole  force  of  their  backward  motion  was 
thrown  on  the  horses  with  great  violence,  and  that  in  an  ob- 
lique direction.  One  of  the  horses  escaped  without  injury,  but 
the  other,  the  one  in  question,  soon  showed  that  he  had  been 
severely  "jammed."  I  was  called  to  see  the  case,  and  gave  it 
as  my  opinion  that  not  only  the  outer  muscles  of  the  shoulder 
were  injured,  but  also  the  great  saw-muscle,  on  the  inner  side, 
was  badly  strained.  The  symptoms  of  the  outer  injury, 
sweeny,  were  very  clear,  and  I  at  once  commenced  the  treat- 
ment of  it,  and  proposed,  also,  to  commence,  at  the  same  time, 
the  proper  measures  for  the  relief  of  the  other  difficulty;  but 
the  owner  of  the  horse,  being  rather  chicken-hearted,  would 
not  submit  to  the  measures  proposed,  as  it  required  an  opera- 
tion slightly  painful  to  the  horse.  The  outside  muscles  soon 
returned  to  their  proper  size,  and  were  in  every  respect  well. 
But  the  horse  still  continued  slightly  lame,  and,  on  being  again 
put  to  work,  became  very  lame.  I  was  again  applied  to.  I 
found  no  signs  of  sweeny  in  the  outer  muscles,  though  the 
horse  stood  with  his  foot  forward,  and  in  moving  would  bring 
it  around  in  a  circular  motion,  evidently  to  prevent  the  shoulder 
from  coming  close  to  the  body.  I  proposed  the  same  remedies 
as  before,  but  the  owner  still  objected.  He  then  commenced 
trying  every  quack's  nostrum,. and  after  trying  some  ten  or  a 


STRAIN    OF    THE    STIFLE-JOIXT.  229 

dozen,  and  losing  nine  months'  time,  he  found  his  horse  worse 
than  at  the  commencement.  He  again  applied  to  me,  and 
agreed  to  submit  to  my  treatment. 

Treatment. — I  first  bled  him  about  six  quarts  from  the  large 
vein  (the  plate-vein)  in  the  forearm,  and  the  next  day  gave  a 
physic.  I  also  inserted  four  rowels  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
seat  of  the  injuiy;  one  in  front  of  the  shoulder-joint,  just 
below  the  surface  against  which  the  collar  presses,  and  another 
a  little  above  the  elbow-joint  and  to  the  inside  of  the  arm,  near 
the  union  of  the  arm  with  the  body,  and  another  behind  the 
elbow-joint,  and  the  fourth  one  about  four  inches  above  this, 
immediately  behind  the  shoulder,  at  its  union  with  the  body. 
I  kept  these  rowels  running  about  twenty  days,  and  then 
allowed  them  to  heal.  I  kept  him  quiet,  or  allowed  but  little 
exercise,  and  ordered  soft  feed.  After  the  rowels  Cjuit  running, 
I  ordered  nothing  further  but  rest  for  a  few  weeks.  The  lame- 
ness disappeared  as  the  rowels  healed,  and,  two  months  and  a 
half  after  commencing  the  treatment  of  the  case,  the  horse  was 
being  used  in  his  ordinary  work.  It  has  now  been  over  three 
years  since  he  was  treated,  and  he  has  not  lost  a  day's  work. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  STIFLE-JOINT. 

The  stifle-joint  is  composed  of  the  union  of  the  lower  end  of 
the  upper  thigh-bone  with  the  head  of  the  lower  and  larger 
thigh-bone  and  the  patella,  or  knee-pan,  forming  the  front  part 
of  the  joint.  This  joint  is  a  very  strong  and  complicated  one, 
and  difficult  to  describe.  It  corresponds  to  the  knee-joint  of 
the  human.  This  joint  is  sometimes  dislocated,  or  put  out  of 
place,  and  occasionally  strained ;  though  it  is  very  important  to 
remark  that  strain  of  the  stifle-joint  is  by  no  means  so  frequent 
as  is  generally  supposed.  This  injuiy  is  sometimes  called 
"5^?/?^,"  or  the  horse  is  said  to  be  '-'•stifled^  It  is  veiy  com- 
mon for  the  ignorant  farrier,  or  the  conceited  pretender,  to 
pronounce  any  lameness  of  the  hind  parts,  which  he  does  not 


230  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

understand,  "stifle,"  when,  in  fact,  it  is  his  judgment  that  is 
at  fault. 

Sijini^toms. — Strain  of  the  stifle-joint  is  not,  by  any  means,  so 
clearly  marked  as  might  be  supposed.  There  is  very  consider- 
able lameness,  the  horse  being  scarcely  able  to  touch  the  foot 
to  the  ground;  he  carries  the  leg  along  with  difficulty,  but 
brings  his  foot  forward  in  the  proper  way,  and  places  it  right, 
but  barely  resting  it  on  the  toe,  or,  if  the  case  is  not  very  bad, 
resting  it  naturally,  but  not  bearing  any  weight  on  it.  The 
above  is  strain  from  twist  or  jerk.  Heat,  pain,  and  tenderness 
will  be  found  on  examination  of  the  region  of  the  .stifle-joint  by 
the  hand.  The  patella  (knee-pan)  Avill  be  thrown  out  of  place, 
either  to  the  in  or  outside. 

Causes. — Sliding  on  ice,  the  horse  turning  awkwardly  when 
running,  or  any  unnatural  twisting  of  the  limb,  when  the  weight 
of  the  body  is  unnaturally  resting  on  it.  It  is  always  the  re- 
sult of  great  violence. 

Treatment. — Strain  of  the  stifle-joint  can  be  cured  in  shorter 
time  by  roweling  than  any  other  plan  of  treatment.  One  rowel 
put  in  just  below  and  in  front  of  the  joint  is  generally  all  that 
is  necessary.  But,  in  a  very  bad  case,  two  may  be  required,  one 
on  the  inside  and  one  on  the  outside  of  the  joint,  and  about 
three  inches  apart.  For  the  mode  of  making,  inserting,  and 
managing  rowels,  see  the  article  on  "Rowels  and  Roweling." 

The  part  might  be  kept  wet  with  a  solution  of  tincture  of 
arnica,  until  the  inflammation  is  subdued,  and  then  any  re- 
maining swelling  treated  by  the  application  of  the  tincture  of 
iodine,  twice  a,  day;  the  horse  being  kept  quiet  during  the 
treatment. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  FETLOCK. 

The  fetlock-joint  is  made  up  of  the  union  of  the  shank-bone, 
the  two  sesamoid  bones,  and  the  upper  pastern-bone.  It 
admits  of  backward  and  forward  motion,  and  but  very  little 


STRAIN   OF   THE   BACK   SINEWS.  231 

lateral  or  side  motion.  The  injury  we  are  considering  consists 
in  a  strain  of  the  capsuhir  ligament  of  the  joint,  by  the  foot 
being  forcibly  thrown  to  one  side,  which  is  most  likely  to  occur 
from  the  horse  treading  on  a  stone,  or  getting  his  foot  fast  in 
the  mud,  and  bringing  it  out  in  a  twist. 

Spnjjfoms. — Lameness  of  the  foot  affected  is  the  most  notice- 
able symptom  of  strain  of  the  fetlock,  but,  as  lameness  occurs 
in  many  other  injuries,  it  furnishes  but  little  evidence  of  the 
locality  of  the  difficulty.  There  will  be  found  heat  and  tender- 
ness, and  perhaps  swelling,  at  the  point  injured,  and  these, 
with  the  absence  of  the  symjotoms  of  other  injuries,  must  be 
relied  on  in  determining  the  case. 

Treatment. — Soon  after  the  strain  occurs,  or  while  there  is 
active  inflammation,  known  by  the  heat,  swelling,  pain,  and 
soreness,  apply  a  flannel  bandage  around  the  part  affected,  and 
keep  it  constantly  wet  with  the  following: 

Take — Tincture  of  arnica 1  to  4  ounces. 

Cold  water 1  quart. 

Mix.     Continue  this  treatment  until  the  inflammation  is  all  out  of  the  part. 

But  if  the  case  has  been  neglected  for  a  number  of  days, 
apply  a  blister  over  the  part  most  affected,  but  not  so  as  to  go 
clear  around  the  leg.  After  the  first  is  well,  another  may  be 
applied  at  the  other  side.  The  blister  may  have  to  be  applied 
several  times  over  the  affected  part.  The  liquid  blister  may  be 
used,  being  careful  not  to  let  it  run  on  the  heels,  or  the  paste- 
blister  will  answer. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  BACK  SINEWS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  sheath  of  the  tendons,  or 
sinews,  at  the  back  of' the  cannon-bone,  between  the  pastern 
and  back  of  the  knee.  It  is  not  correctly  named,  for  the 
tendons  are  incapable  of  being  sj^rained,  as  they  are  not 
elastic.  The  sheath  in  which  these  strong  tendons  work  is 
composed  of  a  dense,  fibrous  substance,  and  is  moistened  on 


232  :navix  ox  the  horse. 

the  inside  with  a  mucous  secretion  to  prevent  friction  of  the 
tendons  working  in  it. 

There  are  two  ways  in  which  this  sheath  may  be  injured, 
causing  inflammation  in  it.  The  first,  called  slam  or  check,  is 
produced  by  the  foot  being  brought  down  with  great  force  on 
hard  ground,  in  rapid  movement,  thus  quickly  extending  the 
cords,  wliieli  are  relaxed  when  the  foot  is  raised,  causing  injury 
of  the  sheath.  The  other  way  inflammation  is  produced  in 
the  sheath  is  by  long  continued  overwork. 

When  inflammation  takes  place,  an  increased  and  altered 
secretion  is  thrown  out  within  the  sheath,  around  the  tendon. 
This  coagulates  and  becomes  an  organized  structure,  uniting 
the  tendon  with  the  wall  of  the  sheath,  which  greatly  interferes 
M'ith  the  movement  of  the  tendons,  making  it  difficult  and  painful. 

Sipnptoms. — This  injury  is  very  easily  detected  in  a  clean- 
limbed horse  by  the  heat,  sw^elling,  and  pain  of  the  part  on 
pressure,  and  the  lameness,  which  will  correspond  with  the 
degree  of  the  inflammation  and  tenderness  present.  Some- 
times the  slightest  movement  will  cause  the  most  intense  pain. 
In  a  horse  with  coarse,  hairy  limbs  and  thick  skin,  a  little 
more  care  in  examining  the  leg  with  the  hand  may  be  neces- 
sary to  satisfy  the  practitioner,  or  observer,  of  the  nature  of  the 
difficulty.  When  the  case  is  a  very  bad  one,  it  is  sometimes 
called  hreaJcing  doivn,  but  no  importance  need  be  attached  to 
this  name,  as  in  but  very  few,  even  of  such  cases,  are  any  of 
the  fibers  of  the  tendons  or  of  the  sheath  broken.  It  may  be 
remarked  that  round  limbs  are  more  likely  to  be  injured  than 
flat  ones,  as  in  the  former  the  IcA^erage  is  less  than  in  the . 
latter,  and  hence  there  is  greater  strain  on  them. 

The  hind-leg  might  be  subject  to  a  simihir  injury,  but  it  has 
not  so  great  weight  to  sustain,  is  not  brought  down  with  so 
great  force,  and,  from  the  obliqueness  of  the  limb,  such  sudden 
concussion  is  prevented. 

Treatment. — If  the  case  is  seen  while  inflammation  is  ]:> res- 
ent, known  by  the  heat,  swelling,  and  tenderness  of  the  part, 


9 

RUPTUEE    OF    THE    SUSPEXSORY   LIGAMENTS.  233 

wash  the  part  with  cokl  water,  one  quart,  and  tincture  of 
arnica,  two  ounces,  mixed.  Then  wrap  the  leg  with  a  flannel 
bandage,  and  keep  this  wet  with  the  solution  of  water  and 
arnica.  It  will  have  to  be  wet  every  three  or  four  hours. 
This  is  to  be  continued  until  the  inflammation  is  reduced,  or 
the  patient  cured.  If  the  case  is  not  seen  until  a  chronic  en- 
largement has  taken  place,  or  if  any  swelling  remain  after 
the  inflammation  is  reduced,  apply  the  liquid  blister  over 
the  swelling  at  the  back  of  the  leg,  but  not  around  in  front  of 
it.  Grease  the  heel  with  lard  to  prevent  it  from  becoming 
blistered.  If  the  first  blister  does  not  reduce  the  swelling,  on 
the  third  day  grease  the  part,  and  the  next  day  wash  with 
castile-soap  ;  dry,  and  blister  again. 

KUPTURE  OF  THE  SUSPENSORY  LIGAMENTS. 

The  suspensor}^  ligaments  rise  from  the  back  part  of  the 
head  of  the  shank-bone  and  the  heads  of  the  two  splint-bones, 
and  pass  down  between  them  to  be  inserted  into  the.  two  sesa- 
moid bones,  Avhich  lie  at  the  back  of  the  pastern-joint.  The 
ligaments  are  elastic,  in  which  they  differ  from  other  liga- 
ments, and  which  renders  them  very  serviceable  in  assisting 
to  prevent  concussion,  or  jar.  These  ligaments  are  sometimes 
ruptured  or  broken,  which  leaves  the  two  sesamoid  bones  at 
the  back  of  the  fetlock-joint  without  their  proper  support,  and 
henca  this  joint  fjills  much  lower  when  the  weight  of  the  ani- 
mal comes  on  it  than  it  should. 

Sf/mjjtoms. — Rupture  of  the  suspensory  ligaments  is  very 
easily  detected.  The  fetlock  is  let  down  so  low  that  it  nearly 
touches  the  ground,  though  the  horse  is  still  able  to  bend 
the  joint ;  and  this  plainly  indicates  that  it  is  not  the  tendon 
at  the  back  of  the  leg  that  is  ruj^tured.  The  early  stage  of 
the  injury  is,  of  course,  attended  with  some  inflammation  in 
the  point  of  injury,  but  which,  after  awhile,  passes  away,  leav- 
ing a  case  of  permanent  lameness  and  unsoundness,  which 
admits  of  no  benefit  from  treatment. 


234  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

GROGGINESS,  OR  KNUCKLING. 

This  is  an  affection  about  which  there  is  considerable  divers- 
ity of  opinion.  The  shank-bone  seems  to  project  over  the 
parts  below  it,  so  much  so,  in  some  cases,  as  to  cause  the  animal 
to  walk  almost  on  his  toes,  and  there  is  a  peculiar  tottering  of 
the  whole  hind-leg.  It  generally  occurs  in  old  and  overworked 
horses.  Every  joint  of  the  foot  has  been  referred  to  as  the 
seat  of  this  difficulty.  It  has  also  been  attributed  to  ulcers  in 
the  joints,  from  the  fact  that  these  have  been  found  on  dis- 
section of  the  feet  of  horses  aff'ected  with  it,  but  I  think  they 
have  been  a  consequent  or  result,  rather  than  a  cause,  of 
grogginess.  I  think  the  cause  of  the  difficulty  is  the  con- 
traction of  the  ligaments  and  tendons  at  the  back  of  the 
jgints  of  the  leg  and  foot. 

Treatment. — Treatment  can  be  of  but  little  value  in  this 
difficulty,  as  the  horse  may  be  regarded  quite  worn  out  when 
it  occurs.  The  repeated  aj)plication  of  blisters  to  the  parts 
just  above  the  foot,  is  the  only  means  likely  to  accomplish  any 
good.  First  apply  a  blister  on  one  side  of  the  pastern,  and 
after  it  is  well,  apply  it  to  the  other  side,  and  then  back  to  the 
first  place  again.  By  thus  changing  the  place  of  the  blister  a 
number  of  times,  some  good  may  be  eff^ected.  It  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that,  in  no  case,  must  a  blister  extend  clear 
around  the  leg.  The  horse  under  treatment  must  not 
be  worked. 


DISLOCATION  OF  JOINTS. 

The  joints  of  the  horse  arc  so  firmly  bound  by  ligaments, 
and  so  strongly  grooved  together,  that  they  are  seldom  j^ut  out 
of  place,  or  dislocated.  But  dislocations  do  sometimes  occur, 
and  many  of  them  admit  of   successful  treatment.     But  in 


DISLOCATION   OF   THE   SHOULDER. 


235 


this  country  little  attention  has  been  given  to  their  treatment, 
the  horse  generally  being  condemned  to  death  on  the  occur- 
rence of  the  accident,  if  at  all  serious.  I  am  of  the  opinion 
much  good  will  result  from  proper  treatment  of  this  class 

of  injuries. 

The  treatment  of  dislocations  consists  in  bringing  the  joint 
properly  in  place,  in  such  manner  as  will  keep  it  so  until  the 
injured  muscles  and  ligaments  have  sufficiently  regained  their 
strength  to  keep  it  in  place  themselves,  and  to  keep  down  in- 
jurious inflammation. 

The  particular  dislocations  necessary  to  consider  are  dislo- 
cations of  the  neck,  shoulder,  hip,  stifle,  and  fetlock. 

DISLOCATION  OF  THE  NECK. 

This  accident  may  occur  by  the  horse  being  pitched  forward, 
or  getting  his  head  fast  under  the  trough  or  manger.  The 
head  will  be  twisted  to  one  side  and  fixed  in  that  position. 
The  muscles  will  be  paralyzed,  and  a  space  can  be  felt  on  the 
convex,  or  prominent,  side  of  the  neck. 

Treatment. — The  feet  should  be  so  tied  as  to  prevent  the  horse 
from  rising  or  striking.  Relax  the  muscles  on  the  side  of  the 
neck  to  which  the  head  is  bent  by  fomentations  of  hot  water, 
or  bone-set,  lobelia,  etc.,  or  bleed  as  much  as  the  horse  can 
stand  from  a  large  orifice,  or  opening,  in  the  neck-vein.  Then 
have  the  head  pulled,  or  extended,  and  rotated,  or  turned,  and 
at  the  same  time  the  operator  should  press  with  one  or  both 
knees  on  the  prominent  part  of  the  convex  side  of  the  neck. 
Persevere  in  these  measures  until  the  neck  becomes  straight. 
A  broad  band  or  splint,  well  padded,  extending  from  the  jaw 
back  to  the  shoulder,  is  then  to  be  bound  to  the  side  of  the 
neck  to  which  the  head  was  turned,  to  hold  it  in  place. 

DISLOCATION  OF  THE  SHOULDER. 

This   accident  occurs  at  the   shoulder-joint,  or  the  joint 
where  the  collar  presses.     There  is  a  dent,  or  depression,  in 


236  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

the  shoulder,  the  elbow  is  fixed  higher  up  on  the  side  of  the 
chest,  and  the  foot  is  dragged  along  on  the  point  of  the  toe. 
It  can  hardl}^  be  mistaken. 

Treatment. — The  operator  stands  in  front  of  the  horse,  and, 
with  both  hands,  grasps  the  lower  end  of  the  upper  arm-bone 
at  the  elbow-joint,  and  places  his  head  against  the  shoulder- 
joint.  He  then  draws  the  lower  end  of  the  bone  forward, 
j)ressing  on  the  joint  with  his  head.  By  this  means  the  joint 
is  brought  in  place,  but  much  force  is  generally  required. 
The  most  difficult  part  of  the  operation  is  to  keep  it  in  place. 
Put  a  collar  on,  with  the  seat  resting  squarely  against  the 
joint,  and  then  put  on  the  harness,  and,  with  firm  cords  reach- 
ing from  the  rings  of  the  hames  to  those  of  the  harness  at 
the  thigh,  keep  a  constant  pressure  on  the  joint.  Keep  the 
foot  forward  and  the  shoulder  pressed  back. 

DISLOCATION  OF  THE  HIP. 

From  the  immense  strength  of  the  hip-joint  it  is  rarely  put 
out  of  place.  In  the  horse,  fracture  of  the  haunch-bone  at 
the  socket  of  the  hip-joint  is  more  likely  to  occur  than  simple 
dislocation.  But  it  may  occur  with  fracture,  or  without  it. 
The  injury  is  a  very  serious  one,  and  may  be  known  by  the 
hip  being  sensibly  knocked  down,  or  lower  than  the  opposite 
one,  and  the  lameness  which  it  gives  rise  to. 

Treatment. — To  attempt  to  reduce  this  dislocation  by  any 
ordinary  means  would  be  useless.  The  best  thing  that  can  be 
done,  perhaps,  is  to  allow  the  animal  a  few  months'  quiet  until 
a  sort  of  provisional  callous  joint  forms.  I  knew  one  animal, 
in  which  this  accident  occurred,  cured  by  being  suspended,  or 
hanged  up,  by  the  legs,  and  considerably  jolted  while  thus 
suspended.  When  let  down,  he  walked  off,  with  great  ease, 
as  if  nothing  had  been  the  matter.  This  plan  might  be  tried, 
using  a  block  and  tackle  arrangement  to  raise  the  horse,  when, 
by  a  sudden  jolt,  the  joint  will  very  likely  be  brought  in 
place.     This  plan  is  on  the  same  principle  practiced  by  the 


DISLOCATION    OF    THE    FETLOCK.  237 

Sweets  in  setting  bones.  Their  success  has  been  very  great 
in  human  practice.  Tie  both  hind-legs  together  and  both  fore- 
legs together,  run  a  pole  between  them,  and  hitch  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  pole. 

DISLOCATION  OF  THE  STIFLE. 

Dislocation  of  the  stifle-bone,  knee-cap,  or  patella,  is  an  ac- 
cident not  near  so  often  met  as  is  generally  supposed,  other 
causes  of  lameness,  or  a  mere  strain  of  the  stifle-joint,  being 
mistaken  for  it.  The  stifle-bone  may  be  either  thrown  to  the 
inside  or  outside  of  the  limb.  When  it  is  thrown  outward 
there  will  be  an  empty  or  sunken  space  in  front  of  the  joint, 
and  the  stifle-bone  will  be  felt  firmly  fixed  at  the  outer  side  of 
the  joint.  The  limb  is  stiffened  and  extended  backward,  and 
the  horse  can  not  bring  it  forward.  When  the  stifle-bone  is 
knocked  inward,  a  similar  space  will  be  found  in  front,  but 
the  bone  will  rest  on  the  inside  of  the  joint.  The  limb  will  be 
drawn  upward  and  outward,  and  the  horse  will  be  unable  to 
rest  on  it. 

Treatment. — The  limb  is  to  be  drawn  upward  and  forward. 
A  rope  may  be  fastened  about  the  2'»astern,  and  if  the  disloca- 
tion is  inward,  carry  the  rope  between  the  forward  legs  and  to 
the  opposite  side  from  the  injury,  and  then  over  the  neck. 
The  necessary  amount  of  force  may  be  then  applied  to  the 
rope  to  draw  the  limb  sufficiently  upward  and  forward.  The 
operator  then  replaces  the  stifle-bone,  and  holds  it  there  until 
the  limb  is  carefully  let  down,  and  for  a  few  minutes  after- 
ward. When  the  bone  is  thrown  outward,  pass  the  rope  over 
the  neck  to  the  opposite  side,  and  then  proceed  as  in  the  other 
case. 

DISLOCATION  OF  THE  FETLOCK. 

The  fetlock,  or  upper  pastern-joint,  may  be  dislocated,  the 
foot  being  turned  either  outward  or  inward.  The  deformity  is 
such  that  this  accident  can  not  be  mistaken. 


238  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

Treatment. — Force  enough  to  bring  the  joint  properly  in 
phace  must  be  used.  Take  tVo  splints  made  of  a  flat  iron  bar, 
one-fourth  of  an  inch  thick,  reaching  from  the  border  of  the 
shoe  half-way  up  the  leg,  or  a  little  more.  The  splint  is  to  be 
made  to  fit  the  side  of  the  leg,  and  bent  so  as  to  correspond 
to  the  angle  at  the  joint.  The  lower  end  of  the  splint  is  to  be 
made  thin  and  turned  inward  so  as  to  be  driven  between  the 
shoe  and  hoof,  to  keep  it  in  place.  The  splints  are  then  to  be 
wrapped  with  muslin  to  prevent  them  from  hurting  the  skin. 
They  are  then  applied,  one  on  each  side,  the  lower  turn  being 
driven  under  the  shoe,  and  a  stout  roller,  or  bandage,  carried 
from  the  pastern-joint  up  to  the  top  of  the  splints,  binding 
them  firmly  to  the  leg.  Keep  wet,  until  the  swelling  goes 
down,  with  a  solution  of  tincture  of  arnica. 


WOUNDS. 

A  WOUND  is  the  cutting  or  rending  asunder  the  soft  parts,  by 
mechanical  means.  Wounds  are  named,  from  the  condition  in 
which  the  parts  are  left,  or  the  manner  in  which  the  wound  is 
inflicted,  incised,  contused,  lacerated,  punctured,  or  penetrated. 
In  man  many  wounds  heal  without  the  formation  of  matter,  or 
pus,  the  parts  uniting  by  simply  being  brought  together  and 
kept  so  for  a  short  time.  This  is  called  healing  by  "  first  in- 
tention." But  this  mode  of  healing  is,  by  no  means,  so  com- 
mon in  wounds  in  the  horse's  flesh.  Here  we  generally  have  to 
wait  for  matter  to  form  and  new  flesh  to  fill  up  the  rent.  The 
reasons  for  this  are,  that  the  horse  has  a  muscular  coat  spread 
all  over  his  body,  under  the  skin,  which  he  uses  to  shake  off 
flies  or  any  thing  else  that  annoys  his  skin.  By  this  the  sutures, 
or  stitches,  are  often1:orn  out,  and  the  wound  is  left  gaping.  The 
horse,  also,  often  rubs  the  part  or  breaks  the  sutures  with  his 


IXCISED    WOUNDS.  239 

mouth.     It  is  impossible  to  guard  against  these  accidents  per- 
fectly. 

The  principles  on  which  wounds  are  to  be  treated  are  quite 
simple. ,  If  the  wound  is  recent,  that  is,  has  been  inflicted  but  a 
short  time,  or  if  there  is  not  much  bruising  of  the  edges,  after 
any  hair,  dirt,  or  splinters  have  been  removed,  the  edges  should 
be  brought  together  by  sutures,  or  stitches,  and  an  effort 
made  to  effect  a  union  by  first  intention,  or  without  the  forma- 
tion of  matter.  The  stitches  should  be  close  enough  to  bring 
the  edges  of  the  wound  together  all  along.  In  sewing  up  a 
wound,  a  flat  curved  needle  and  silk  cord,  or  saddler's  silk  of 
large  size,  are  used.  The  needle  being  armed,  or  threaded, 
should  be  passed  through  the  skin  of  both  lips  of  the  wound, 
and  the  thread  drawn  through  and  tied  by  a  surgeon's  knot. 
This  knot  is  made  by  passing  one  arm  of  the  thread  over 
the  other  twice,  and  then  drawing  the  knot.  This  knot  will 
not  slip.  The  thread  is  then  cut  off,  and  another  suture  is 
made  in  the  same  way. .  The  only  dressing  necessary,  after  the 
wound  is  sewed  up,  is  for  it  to  be  bathed  with  compound  tinc- 
ture of  myrrh,  or  tincture  of  camj)hor  occasionally,  if  there  is 
any  swelling  or  heat  present,  or,  what  is  best  for  all  wounds, 
a  strong  tincture  of  garden  marigolds.  A  bottle  should  be  filled 
with  the  flowers,  and  diluted  alcohol,  to  fill  it  up,  added,  and  let 
stand  two  weeks,  or  apply  tincture  of  arnica  around  the  cut,  but 
not  into  it — one  ounce  to  a  quart  of  cold  water. 

INCISED  WOUNDS. 

These  are  such  as  are  inflicted  by  a  cutting  instrument.  An 
incised  wound  may  properly  be  defined  to  be  "«  clean  cuty  It, 
of  course,  may  be  but  a  very  trifling  cut,  requiring  no  attention 
whatever,  or  it  may  be  of  great  length  and  depth,  presenting 
a  most  ghastly  sight,  and,  from  the  amount  of  bleeding,  seri- 
ously threaten  the  horse's  life. 

Treatment. — If  any  artery  is  cut  and  bleeding,  it  must  be 


240  "^  NAYIN    OX    THE    HOESE. 

taken  up  and  tied.  (See  "  Wounds  of  Arteries.")  The  cut  must 
then  be  cleansed  of  any  dirt  that  is  in  it,  and  if  any  part  of  the 
instrument  making  the  wound  remains  in  it,  it  must  be  found 
and  taken  out.  The  next  step  is  to  bring  the  edges,  or  lips,  of 
the  wound  together,  and  keep  them  so  by  a  proper  number  of 
sutures,  or  stitches.  If  any  inflammation  or  swelling  and  heat 
arise,  or  to  prevent  them  from  taking  place,  the  part  may  be 
bathed  often  with  compound  tincture  of  myrrh,  tincture  of  cam- 
phor, or  tincture  of  marigolds.  If  the  stitches  should  rot  out  or 
get  broken,  the  wound  will  have  to  be  healed  by  the  formation 
of  matter,  or,  as  it  is  called,  by  grayiulation. 

CONTUSED    WOUNDS. 

These  are  inflicted  by  blunt  instruments,  and  are  generally 
irregular  in  their  shape,  with  bruising  of  the  lips,  or  edges,  of 
the  wound.  Snagging  is  the  most  common  way  in  which  these 
wounds  are  inflicted  in  this  country.  A  contused  wound  may 
be  very  extensive,  and  often  a  great  pocket  in  the  flesh  is  formed. 

Treatment. — These  wounds  can  not  be  healed  by  first  intention ; 
they  heal  by  the  formation  of  matter  and  the  filling  up  of  the 
rent  by  new  flesh.  This  process  of  healing  is  called  ^^ healing 
by  granulation^  Cleanse  the  wound  from  dirt  or  splinters,  bring 
the  lips  of  the  wound  as  near  together  as  possible,  by  a  few 
stitches  taken  far  back  in  the  skin,  being  careful  to  leave  a  suf- 
ficient opening  for  the  matter  to  run  out.  If  in  a  place  where  it 
can  be  done,  the  part  may  be  supported  by  a  bandage,  and  the 
wound  held  together.  Inflammation  must  be  kept  down  by  the 
constant  application  of  cold  water,  or  it  may  be  dressed  with 
compound  tincture  of  myrrh,  tincture  of  marigold,  camphor, 
or  opium.  If  the  wound  becomes  very  ofl'ensive,  charcoal  may 
be  applied  to  it,  or  solution  of  chloride  of  lime  ;  or  it  may  be 
washed  out  with  pyrol igneous  acitL  If  maggots  get  in  the  sore, 
the  above  lime  or  acid  will  destroy  them,  or  turpentine  will 
effectually  get  them  out.  The  matter  in  these  wounds  has  a 
great  tendency  to  burrow  along  the   muscles,  forming  great 


LACEEATED   WOUJfDS — PUNCTURED   WOUNDS.  241 

pouches.     Where  these  form  they  should  be  freely  opened  at 
the  lower  part  of  the  pouch,  or  sack,  and  the  matter  let  out. 

LACERATED    WOUNDS. 

A  lacerated  wound  is  only  an  irregular  cut,  or  rent,  often 
presenting  a  flap  of  skin  or  flesh  turned  back. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  lacerated  wounds  should  be 
the  same  as  that  recommended  for  incised  wounds.  But  if  the 
stitches  should  break,  the  lips  of  the  wound  are  to  be  kept  as 
close  together  as  possible,  and  healing  by  granulation  favored 
by  the  means  recommended  for  contused  wounds. 

PUNCTURED    WOUNDS. 

These  are  made  by  sharp  instruments,  such  as  nails,  the- 
prongs  of  forks,  splinters,  etc.  A  punctured  wound  may  be  of 
very  great  depth,  or  very  shallow.  Its  dangerousness  will  de- 
pend much  on  the  part  in  which  it  is  made.  Very  high  inflam- 
mation is  likely  to  occur  in  a  severe  punctured  wound.  Lock- 
jaw is  one  of  the  common  dangers  of  this  sort  of  wound.  This, 
sort  of  wound  generally  heals  by  forming  matter,  or  by  suppu- 
ration, which  is  the  most  favorable  and  safe  method. 

Treatment. — The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  ascertain  if  there- 
is  any  thing  in  the  wound.     This  is  done  by  probing,  and,  where- 
it  can  be  used,  the  best  and  most  satisfactory  probe  is  the  fin- 
ger.    If  any  thing  is  found,  it  must  he  taken  out.     To  do  this  it 
may  be  necessary  to  open  the  wound  much  wider  with  a  long- 
bladed  knife,  being  careful  to  make  the  cut  in  the  direction  of 
the  muscles,  so  as  not  to  cut  arteries.     This  being  done,  if  the- 
wound  is  in  the  fleshy  part,  the  object  is  to  prevent  too  high  in- 
flammation and  get  matter  to  forming  as  soon  as  possible. 
Take  a  small  wire,  and  bend  it  double,  and  then  wrap  it  with 
tow,  hemp,  or  flax-lint,  and  moisten  this  tent  with  Venice  tur- 
pentine and  introduce  it,  the  bent  end  forward,  into  the  wound. 
The  tent  should  be  long  enough  to  reach  near  the  bottom  of 
16 


242  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

the  wound.  The  tent  is  best  held  in  by  taking  a  stitch  in  the 
lip  of  the  wound  and  through  the  tov/  or  flax  at  the  outer  end 
of  the  tent.  After  the  inflammation  has  gone  down  and  healthy 
white  matter  appears,  this  long  tent  may  be  removed  and  a 
shorter  one  introduced,  so  as  to  let  the  bottom  of  the  wound 
heal ;  and,  after  a  few  days,  a  still  shorter  one.  The  object  is 
to  heal  the  sore  from  the  bottom  toward  the  outside.  The  outer 
opening  must  not  be  allowed  to  close  until  the  wound  is  healed 
below.  At  the'same  time  the  tent  is  being  used  in  the  wound, 
the  part  may  be  bathed  with  tincture  of  arnica,  marigold,  oi 
compound  tincture  of  myrrh. 

If  the  punctured  wound  reaches  to  the  bone,  and  it  is  slough- 
ing, which  may  be  known  by  the  peculiar  ofl'ensive  smell,  and 
the  matter  being  grainy,  in  addition  to  the  wound  being  kept 
.open,  it  may  be  injected  once  a  day  with  the  following:  Tincture 
-of  iodine,  one  part;  water,  four  parts,  mixed;  of  this  inject 
.enough  to  fill  the  wound ;  or  pyroligneous  acid  may  be  used 
for  the  same  purpose. 

In  this  sort  of  wound,  as  well  as  others,  if  there  is  any  dispo- 
isition  for  the  matter  to  form  a  pouch,  which  there  generally  is 
if  the  wound  has  a  downward  direction,  it  should  be  opened 
•early,  below,  so  that  the  matter  may  pass  out. 

Punctured  ivounds  of  the  foot  deserve  especial  consideration. 
They  are  made  by  nails  in  shoeing,  or  by  the  horse  treading  on 
a  nail,  snag,  or  other  sharp  thing.  Here  it  is  of  the  first  im- 
portance that  every  part  of  the  instrument  causing  the  wound 
should  be  removed  ;  for,  generally,  if  any  part  of  it  remains,  it 
will  entirely  close  the  wound,  and  the  matter  which  forms  can 
have  no  chance  to  escape,  only  by  forcing  a  way  through  the 
soft  parts  injured,  thus  forming  a  quitter.  A  puncture  of  the 
foot  may  only  pass  through  the  hoof  and  slightly  injure  the  sen 
sitive  or  fleshy  parts  in  it ;  or  it  may  even  lacerate  those  parts 
badly,  or  injure  the  bones  within  the  hoof,  or  their  ligaments 
^or  joints.  If  the  puncture  is  caused  by  a  nail  or  any  other 
.-.agent,  and.it  is  certain  no  part  is  left  in,  and  that  the  wound  is 


PENETRATIXG  WOUNDS.  243 

bdt  slight,  rest  may  be  all  that  is  necessary.  But  in  this  case 
the  foot  should  be  closely  watched,  and  on  the  first  appearance 
of  lameness  or  tenderness,  the  sole  should  be  pared  away  down 
to  the  quick  about  the  puncture,  so  that  any  matter  formed,  or 
that  may  form,  will  find  a  ready  passage  out.  This  course  is  to 
be  pursued  in  all  severe  cases  of  puncture.  The  hole,  or  excava- 
tion, thus  formed  in  the  sole  is  to  be  plugged  with  a  pledget,  or 
plug  of  tow,  wet  with  Venice  turpentine,  and  a  bunch  of  tow  laid 
over  the  sole.  A  piece  of  leather  is  then  fitted  to  the  bottom 
of  the  foot,  and  held  in  j^lace  by  a  thin  piece  of  wood,  each  end 
of  which  is  thinned  so  as  to  wedge  in  between  the  shoe  and 
crust.  The  tow  is  to  be  removed  once  a  day  and  a  new  plug 
applied.  If  swelling  or  heat  occur  in  the  foot  or  pasterns,  a  so- 
lution of  tincture  of  arnica,  one  ounce  to  a  quart  of  cold  water, 
may  be  applied,  keeping  the  part  wet  with  it. 

If  the  sole  becomes  separated  from  the  sensitive  sole,  the 
dead  part  should  be  pared  off,  leaving  the  sensitive  sole  uncov- 
ered. The  exposed  part  should  then  be  touched  with  nitrate  of 
silver,  and  covered  up  with  fine  tow  or  lint,  and  the  leather  sole 
put  on.  It  should  be  dressed  every  day,  but  it  will  not  be 
necessary  to  use  the  nitrate  of  silver  any  more,  unless  fungus, 
or  proud-flesh,  should  be  sprouting  up,  which  should  be  freely 
touched  every  day  until  it  is  removed.  'New  horn  v/ill  soon  be 
found  forming,  to  replace  that  removed.  If  quitter  should  be 
found  to  have  formed  before  treatment  is  commenced,  treat  for 
that  disease.  It  is  astonishing  how  readily  the  most  extensive 
suppuration  within  the  foot  will  subside  when  a  proper  opening- 
is  made  in  the  sole  of  the  foot,  and  it  is  properly  protected  from 
dirt  getting  into  it. 

PENETRATING  WOUNDS. 
Penetrating  wounds  are  such  as  enter  some  of  the  internal 
cavities,  and  they  may  be  complicated  with  wouijds  of  the  in- 
ternal organs.     They  are,  of  course,  unfavorable,  but  not  neces- 
sarily fatal. 


244  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

Penetrating  ivounils  of  the  helly  may  be  very  slight,  or  large 
enough  for  portions  of  the  bowels  to  hang  out.  We  should  not 
despair  of  even  such  a  case.  Treatment  may  be  successful. 
If  there  is  dirt  on  the  protruded  bowels  or  lips  of  the  wound, 
wash  it  oif.  Then  endeavor  to  get  the  guts  back.  But  if  this 
can  not  be  done,  put  a  broad  bandage  around  the  horse  to  sup- 
port the  guts,  and  cast,  or  throw,  the  patient.  Have  plenty  of 
hay  or  straw  for  him  to  fall  on,  and  be  sure  that  he  falls  on  the 
opposite  side  from  the  injury.  The  guts  must  then  be  put 
back,  if  it  is  even  necessary  to  enlarge  the  opening.  Then  pro- 
ceed to  sew  up  the  wound.  The  internal  lining  of  the  belly  i? 
to  be  brought  together  first.  Have  a  proper  curved  needle 
threaded  with  surgeon's  or  saddler's  silk.  Commence  at  one 
end  of  the  rent  or  opening,  and  pass  the  needle  through  the 
two  edges  of  the  peritoneum,  or  under  lining  of  the  belly,  draw 
the  thread  until  within  about  six  inches  of  the  end,  and  cut  it 
off,  leaving  both  ends  of  the  thread  the  same  length.  Do  not 
tie  it,  but  pass  another  thread  the  same  way,  about  half  an 
inch  from  the  first,  and  cut  it  off  the  same  way,  and  so  on  un- 
til the  necessary  number  of  sutures  are  provided  for.  Then 
tie  them  with  a  surgeon's  knot.  If  the  stitches  are  tied  as  the 
thread  is  introduced,  the  last  stitches  can  hardly  be  taken. 
The  next  thing  is  to  sew  up  the  outer  wound.  This  is  done  the 
same  way  that  a  simple  cut  is  sewed  up.  One  arm  of  the 
thread  of  each  of  the  sutures  in  the  peritoneum  should  be  left 
hanging  out.  The  other  may  be  cut  ofi*  tolerably  close  to  the 
knot.  A  broad  bandage  should  be  applied  around  the  belly, 
and  the  part  may  be  kept  wet  with  solution  of  tincture  of 
marigolds  or  cold  water,  to  keep  down  inflammation.  It  may 
be  practicable,  in  some  cases,  to  put  the  guts  back  and  sew  up 
the  wound  without  casting  the  horse.  The  diet  should  be  very 
cooling  and  light — scalded  shorts,  in  moderate  quantity.  If  a 
gut  should  be  cut,  it  should  be  sewed  up  nicely  with  fine  silk 
before  being  returned.  If  inflammation  should  run  high,  bleed 
to  the  extent  of  reducing  the  pulse  to  thirty-six  or  forty. 


GUXSHOT    WOUNDS — WOUNDS    OF   ARTEEIES.  245 

Penetrating  ivounds  of  the  chest  may  enter  the  lungs.  All 
tliat  can  be  done  is  to  sew  up  the  wound,  not  very  close,  pass  a 
bandage  tight  around  the  chest,  and  apply  local  applications  to 
keep  down  inflammation.  If  inflammation  runs  too  high,  bleed 
freely.     Use  scalded  shorts,  and  keep  the  horse  quiet. 

GUNSHOT  WOUNDS. 

These  are  not  very  common  in  horses,  except  in  battle. 
They  may  be  very  slight,  or  very  extensive.  If  it  is  thought 
necessary  to  try  to  save  the  horse,  any  piece  of  shell  or  ball  re- 
maining must  be  removed,  if  it  can  be  reached.  To  do  this, 
extensive  cutting  may  be  necessary.  The  wound  is  to  be  healed 
by  suppuration.  This  soon  takes  place.  It  may  be  necessary 
to  keep  the  wound  open  by  the  lint  described  under  the  head 
of  "Punctured  Wounds,"  to  keep  the  outside  from  healing  too 
soon.  If  it  becomes  offensive,  charcoal  may  be  applied,  or  a  so- 
lution of  chloride  of  lime  may  be  injected  into  the  part,  or 
pyroligneous  acid. 

WOUNDS  OF  ARTERIES. 

Sometimes,  by  accident,  or  in  performing  surgical  opera- 
,tions,  important  arteries  are  wounded,  and  the  horse's  life  is 
threatened  from  the  loss  of  blood.  There  are  several  methods 
which  may  be  successful  in  stopping  the  blood.  If  the  artery 
is  quite  small,  its  mouth  may  be  caught  by  the  fingers  or  a 
pair  of  tweezers,  and  pinched  and  twisted ;  or  the  direction 
from  which  the  artery  comes  may  be  found,  and  if  it  lies  near 
a  bone,  and  not  deep,  it  may  be  pressed  on  by  the  thumb 
or  the  handle  of  a  key,  to  stop  its  bleeding.  Styptics 
may  be  used.  Among  those  at  hand  may  be  mentioned  the 
flesh  of  sole-leather,  common  cobwebs,  puff-ball,  and  powdered 
alum  rolled  in  cotton.  A  handful  of  any  of  these  may  be 
stuffed  into  the  wound,  and  firmly  bound  there.  They  will 
generally  be  successful,  but  if  they  fail,  or  if  the  artery  is 


246  NAVIX   ox   THE    HOESE. 

large,  lose  no  time  in  getting  hold  of  the  bleeding  end  of  the 
artery  with  a  pair  of  close-jawed  forceps,  tweezers,  or  pinchers, 
and  then,  drawing  it  out  a  little,  pass  a  cord  around  it,  and 
tie  it  with  what  is  called  a  surgeon's  knot,  that  is,  pass  the 
one  arm  of  the  cord  twice  over  the  other  before  drawing  the 
first  knot. 

It  may  be  impossible  to  get  hold  of  the  bleeding  end  of  the 
artery,  and  then  the  artery  may  bo  reached  by  cutting  down 
to  it  a  short  distance  from  the  wound.  When  it  is  reached,  a 
blunt  hook  is  passed  under  it,  and  then  the  cord  may  be 
passed  around  it  and  tied,  or  an  eye  may  be  turned  on  the  end 
of  a  Avire,  and  then  bent  into  a  hook,  the  eye  being  armed 
with  a  cord  so  as  to  pass  it  around  the  artery. 

Bleeding  from  veins  can  nearly  always  be  stopped  by  using 
the  styptics  before  named. 

The  blood  from  an  artery  is  a  bright,  florid  color,  and  flows 
in  jets  or  spurts.  That  from  a  vein  is  of  a  dark  color,  and 
flows  in  an  even  stream. 

BROKEN  KNEE. 

A  reference  to  the  structure  of  the  knee  will  be  necessary 
before  explaining  this  injury.  The  knee-joint  is  formed  by  the 
union  of  no  less  than  ten  bones,  viz, :  the  lower  head  or  end  of 
the  arm-bone,  the  upper  row  of  knee-bones,  (three  in  number), 
arranged  from  side  to  side,  the  lower  row  of  knee-bones,  (also 
three,  and  similarly  arranged),  and  the  heads  of  the  three  leg 
or  shank-bones.  Wherever  bones  are  united  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  a  movable  joint,  and  sustaining  weight  or  pressure, 
the  parts  of  the  bones  which  oppose  each  other  are  covered 
with  a  thick,  elastic  (springy)  substance  called  cartilage,  and 
this  cartilage  also  is  covered  by  a  tough  membrane,  having  its 
free  side  of  a  glassy  smoothness,  and  which  lies  in  contact  with 
the  same  membrane  covering  the  opposite  bone  and  cartilage. 
This  membrane  is  a  shut  sack,  and  may  be  compared  to  the 
skin  of  the  e^^g,  after  the  shell  is  pealed  off,  and  supposing  the 


BROKEN    KXEE.  247 

white  and  yolk  to  be  removed  without  breaking  the  skin.  Let 
this  skin  now  be  pkiced  in  a  hollowed  cavity  in  the  end  of  one 
stick,  and  the  rounded  end  of  another  placed  on  it,  and  you 
will  be  enabled  to  perfectly  understand  the  arrangement  of  this 
membrane  in  a  movable  joint.  This  membrane  is  called  the 
synovial  membrane;  and  its  smooth  surface  constantly  secretes  a 
fluid  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  joint  free,  as  if  it  were 
oiled.  This  fluid  is  called  spiovia,  joint-water,  or  joint-oil,  and 
its  presence  is  absolutely  indispensable  to  the  health  and  free 
motion  of  the  joint.  These  bones,  forming  the  knee-joint,  are 
all  firmly  bound  together  and  held  in  their  places  by  strong 
ligaments  and  bands,  so  arranged  as  to  permit  a  free  backward 
and  forward  motion,  but  no  other,  and  also  forming  a  complete 
covering  of  the  whole  joint  to  guard  it  against  injury  from  out- 
ward violence. 

To  guard  against  concussion  or  jar,  it  will  be  seen  that  there 
are,  in  the  knee-joint,  six  layers  of  thick,  elastic  cartilage,  six 
layers  of  synovial  membrane,  and  two  layers  of  synovial  fluid, 
or  joint-oil.  Were  it  not  for  this  admirable  provision  of  na- 
ture, the  concussion,  even  in  an  ordinary  gait,  would  be  so 
great  as  to  do  irreparable  mischief;  and  who  could  tell  the 
result  to  the  hunter,  who  comes  down  with  a  force  equal  to 
several  thousand  pounds  weight  in  leaping  a  fence  or  a  ditch? 

Broken  knee  is  generally  produced  by  the  horse  falling,  for 
when  he  falls  the  knee  is  thrown  forward,  and  the  whole  force 
of  the  body  comes  on  it,  and  if  it  comes  in  contact  with  a  stone 
or  any  hard  substance,  or  even  the  hard  ground,  injury  of 
greater  or  less  extent  is  very  likely  to  be  the  result.  The  knee 
may  be  cut  by  a  kick  or  by  being  struck  against  any  sharp- 
edged  substance. 

However  the  injury  may  occur,  it  is  one  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary importance.  The  cut  may  only  be  through  the  skin,  or 
down  to  the  ligaments  covering  the  knee-joints,  or  it  may  i^ass 
through  these  ligaments  to  the  bones  of  the  knee,  or  even  into 
the  cavity  of  the  knee-joint,  opening  the  joint  and  letting  out 


248  '  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

the  joint-oil.  The  last  is  the  most  serious  form  of  the  injury. 
If  the  hole  into  the  synovial  sack  b(i  small,  and  where  the  mo- 
tion of  the  knee  is  not  considerable,  as  at  the  union  of  the 
lower  row  of  knee-bones  with  those  of  the  shank,  considerable 
hope  of  a  cure  may  be  entertained.  If  small  and  high  up, 
opposite  the  upper  row,  it  may  be  cured;  but  if  opposite  the 
union  of  the  two  rows  of  knee-bones,  the  case  may  be  looked 
upon  as  of  an  extremely  unfavorable  character,  and  very 
certainly  so  if  the  opening  be  large. 

The  mischief  results  from  the  synovia,  or  joint-oil,  escaping, 
and  allowing  the  surfaces  of  those  delicate  membranes  to 
come  in  contact  with  each  other,  which  excites  inflammation 
in  them.  This  inflammation  is  of  the  severest  character,  noth- 
ing equaling  its  painfulness.  A  high  degree  of  sympathetic 
fever  supervenes,  the  inflammation  becomes  worse  and  worse, 
and  the  fever  increases,  and  the  horse  is  destroyed.  Or,  if  he 
does  not  die,  the  joint  fills  up  with  bony  matter,  rendering  it 
perfectly  stiff,  or,  as  it  is  termed,  anchylosed. 

Treatment — Clean  the  cut  and  carefully  examine  it  with  a 
probe,  to  ascertain  if  the  joint  is  really  opened.  If  it  is  found 
not  to  be  open,  the  wound  is  to  be  treated  much  the  same  as 
an  ordinary  contused  or  bruised  Avound.  To  reduce  inflam- 
mation and  prevent  proud -flesh  from  sprouting  up  too  much, 
apply  a  poultice  of  ground  flax-seed,  with  a  little  burnt  alum 
dusted  over  it.  But  if  the  joint  is  opened,  and  the  joint-oil 
is  flowing  out,  the  case  is  a  most  serious  one,  and  may  baflle 
any  treatment.  The  object  to  be  attained  is  to  close  the  wound 
for  the  purpose  of  preventing  the  escape  of  the  synovia,  or 
joint-oil. 

The  only  plan  of  treatment  which  ofi'ers  any  probability  of 
success  is  the  application  of  the  hot  iron  to  the  wound,  and 
particularly  to  the  opening  into  the  joint.  The  swelling  which 
follows  the  application  of  the  iron  is  so  great  as  to  close  the 
wound.  After  the  burning,  a  poultice  may  be  applied,  and  the 
case  treated  as  an  ordinary  wound,  but  should  the  joint-oil 


COXCUSSIOX    OF  THE   BRAIX.  249 

continue  to  escape,  it  will  be  seen  on  removing  the  poultice, 
and  the  hot  iron  should  be  again  applied. 

If  the  flow  of  the  joint-oil  can  not  be  stopped,  a  high  degree 
of  inflammation  is  set  up  in  the  joint,  the  horse  sufl'ers  inde- 
scribable pain,  and  hectic  fever  sets  in.  The  case  is  then  hope- 
less; and  the  horse  would  better  be  shot. 

If  the  opening  into  the  joint  is  so  large  as  to  ofi'er  no  pros- 
pect of  cure,  if  the  patient  is  a  brood-mare  or  stallion,  ampu- 
tation of  the  leg,  some  distance  above  the  knee,  may  save  life, 
and  leave  the  animal  quite  useful. 

CONCUSSION  OF  THE  BRAIN. 

This  is  a  stupefying,  or  apparent  knocking  dead,  of  the 
horse,  from  a  blow  on  the  head.  After  awhile  sensibility  re- 
turns, but  the  animal  is  evidently  not  ^^  right  in  his  headP 
After  the  horse  has  got  up,  he  will  walk  staggeringly,  hang 
the  head,  and  be  insensible  to  Avhat  is  around  him.  His  breath- 
ing will  be  dif&cult  and  oppressed,  and  after  some  time  the 
pulse  may  be  increased.  The  fact  of  the  lick  on  the  head, 
and  the  horse  not  being  right  after  it,  will  be  pretty  good  evi- 
dence of  the  trouble.  The  pupil  of  the  eye  will  be  enlarged,  or 
dilated. 

Treatment. — While  the  horse  is  yet  down,  and  apparently 
dead,  hartshorn  (aqua  ammonia)  or  tincture  of  camphor  may 
be  applied  to  the  nose,  or  a  bucket  of  cold  water  dashed  on 
the  head,  for  the  purpose  of  arousing  him.  The  place  where 
the  blow  was  received  should  be  examined  to  see  if  the  skull 
is  fractured,  and  if  any  piece  of  bone  is  driven  in  and  press- 
ing on  the  brain.  If  there  is  fracture,  open  the  skin  to  the 
bone,  by  two  cuts,  running  one  across  the  other,  and  take  out 
the  broken  pieces  and  stitch  up  the  wound.  After  the  horse 
has  got  up,  keep  a  bandage  around  his  head,  wet  with  cold 
water  or  solution  of  tincture  of  arnica.  If  the  pulse  rise,  or 
any  other  symptoms  of  inflammation  appear,  give  the  horse 


250  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

one  dram  of  tincture  of  arnica   every  twelve  hours,  and  an 
occasional  cooling  physic — the  following: 

Take — Aloes,  pulverized 6  drams. 

May-apple  root,  pulverized 2  drams. 

Cream  of   tartar 4  drams. 

Mix.  and  give  in  a  quart  of  warm  water. 


OPERATIONS. 

BLEEDINa. 


The  operation  of  bleeding  is  very  simple.  It  consists  in 
compressing  a  vein  so  as  to  dam  up  the  blood  on  its  way  to  the 
heart,  and  then,  with  an  instrument  called  a  lancet  or  fleam, 
opening  the  vein,  and  allowing  the  desired  quantity  of  blood  to 
flow.  The  vein  generally  selected  for  bleeding  is  the  jugular; 
the  point  most  convenient  is  about  three  inches  back  from 
where  the  vein  divides.  The  vein  may  be  compressed  by  tying 
a  cord  around  the  neck  some  distance  back  of  the  place  for 
bleeding,  or  the  necessary  pressure  may  be  made  on  the  vein 
by  the  finger  of  the  operator.  The  left  or  near  side  being 
selected  for  the  operation,  the  operator  places  himself  by  the 
near  shoulder  of  the  horse,  with  his  fleam  in  the  left  hand  and 
the  blood-stick  in  the  right;  he  then  moistens  the  hair  along 
the  course  of  the  vein.  The  horse's  head  is  then  turned  a  little 
to  the  right,  by  the  person  holding  him,  and  his  left  eye  blinded 
by  holding  a  hat  or  the  hand  over  it.  Then,  the  fleam  being 
placed  at  the  proper  point,  the  operator  raises  the  stick  and 
strikes  the  fleam  sharply,  by  an  overhand  blow.  An  assistant 
holds  a  vessel,  resting  against  the  neck,  so  as  to  catch  the 
blood,  which  should  be  allowed  to  strike  fairly  in  the  bottom 
of  the  vessel. 


BLEEDIXG.  251 

A  fleam  with  a  broad  blade  should  generally  be  used,  for 
the  same  quantity  of  blood  taken  from  a  wide  opening  will  do 
much  more  good  than  if  taken  from  a  narrow  or  small  one. 
The  quicker  the  blood  is  taken,  the  better  will  be  the  effect. 

After  the  necessary  quantity  of  blood  has  been  taken,  the 
pressure  is  to  be  removed  from  tlie  vein,  and  a  small,  sharp  pin 
passed  through  the  edges  of  the  wound,  and  a  little  tow  or  a 
few  hairs  from  the  mane  wound  round  it.  The  horse's  head 
should  be  so  tied  as  not  to  permit  him  to  rub  the  wound.  In 
twenty-four  hours  the  pin  should  be  removed.  If  the  bleeding 
is  to  be  repeated  in  three  or  four  hours,  a  new  place  should  be 
opened,  and  not  the  old  wound,  as  is  sometimes  done. 

Much  may  be  told  by  the  appearance  of  the  blood  drawn  as 
to  the  eifect  produced ;  but  the  most  reliable  method  of  determ- 
ining what  has  been  accomplished  is  by  noting  the  eifect  on 
the  pulse.  Every  person  should  familiarize  himself  with  the 
pulse,  and  then  he  will  be  able  to  bleed  intelligently.  This  is, 
really,  the  only  reliable  guide. 

There  are  other  veins  which  are  sometimes  selected  for 
bleeding.  The  plate-vein,  which  runs  up  on  the  inside  of  the 
fore-leg,  from  behind  the  knee,  is  sometimes  selected.  The 
point  at  which  it  is  opened  is  near  where  the  arm  joins  the 
chest. 

The  large  vein  on  the  inside  of  the  thigh,  called  the  sajjJioena^ 
or  thigh-vein,  is  sometimes  opened.  It  is  recommended  to 
bleed  from  it  in  water-farcy. 

The  toe-vein  is  often  selected  for  bleeding.  The  toe-vein,  so 
called,  is  only  a  dense  net-work  of  small  veins.  It  is  reached 
by  cutting  a  small  groove  with  the  point  of  a  fine  drawing-knife, 
called  a  searcher,  through  the  sole  at  the  toe  just  where  it 
unites  with  the  crust.  As  the  point  of  the  searcher  reaches 
the  vein,  a  sufficient  opening  is  made  for  the  blood  to  flow. 
The  bleeding  may  be  encouraged,  by  placing  the  foot  in  warm 
water.  The  bleeding  may  be  stopped  by  plugging  the  groove 
with  a  little  tow,  and  then  nailing  on  the  shoe.     Bleeding 


252  NAVIN   ox    THE    HORSE. 

from  the  toe  is  practiced  in  inflammation  of  the  foot  and 
severe  strains  and  loruises  about  the  feet. 

I  have  only  spoken  of  the  fleam  as  the  instrument  for  bleed- 
ing from  superficial  veins.  A  large  spring  lancet  may  be 
used,  and  there  is  probably  less  danger  of  cutting  through  the 
opposite  wall  of  the  vein  with  it  than  with  the  fleam.  It 
would,  perhaj^s,  be  better  for  the  inexperienced  bleeder  to 
use  the  spring  lancet;  but  the  best  instrument,  in  an  expert 
hand,  is  a  good  thumb  lancet. 

I  have  said  nothing  about  bleeding  from  the  bars  of  the 
mouth.  I  would  recommend  this  in  no  case.  It  has  no  ad- 
vantage in  any  case,  but  many  disadvantages  and  dangers. 
If  the  cut  is  small  enough  blood  to  produce  any  good  effect 
can  not  be  cb^awn,  and  if  the  cut  is  large,  fatal  bleeding  may 
be  the  result.  There  is  great  danger  of  wounding  the  arteries 
of  the  mouth,  and  then  the  bleeding  becomes  extremely  diffi- 
cult to  stop.  If  the  bars  have  been  cut  and  the  bleeding 
does  not  stop,  a  sponge  or  cloth,  wet  with  cold  water,  may 
first  be  tried.  If  this  fail,  a  pledget  of  tow  or  a  roll  of 
muslin  may  be  fastened  on  the  middle  of  a  long  strip  of  mus- 
lin, about  two  and  a  half  inches  wide,  and  then  placed  on  the 
bleeding  vessels,  and  bound  firmly  there,  by  bringing  the  strij^s 
across  the  nose,  and  then  through  the  throat-latch  of  the 
bridle,  and  then  back  over  the  nose,  and  tie.  By  this  means 
a  suflicient  pressure  is  made  to  stop  the  blood. 

Many  persons  entertain  a  strong  prejudice  against  bleed- 
ing; and  this  prejudice  is  shared  by  some  authors  for  whose 
opinions  I  have  very  great  respect ;  but  in  this  matter  I  must 
differ  with  them,  and  give  my  reasons  for  so  doing.  I  shall 
then  endeavor  to  answer  the  objections  that  are  urged  against 
bleeding,  and  it  will  be  remembered  that  I  am  arguing  with 
veterinary  surgeons,  and  not  with  human  doctors.  The  argu- 
ments in  favor  of  bleeding,  in  those  diseases  for  which  it  is 
recommended,  are  founded  on  the  known  and  universally 
admitted  effects  it  has  on  the  system,  and  on  the  experience 


BLEEDIXG.  •  253 

of  the  ablest  veterinary  surgeons  in  the  profession.  First, 
it  is  known  that  a  horse  of  ordinary  strength  will  bear  the 
loss  of  several  quarts  of  blood,  when  in  a  state  of  health, 
without  any  apparent  injury  to  his  strength,  ability  to  endure 
labor,  or  his  health  in  any  particular.  This  we  learn  from 
the  habit,  in  some  parts,  of  bleeding  the  horses  at  certain 
periods,  with  a  view  of  improving  their  condition.  Men  of 
the  closest  observation,  though  they  regard  the  habit  useless, 
have  not  found  such  horses  injured  by  it.  Hence,  we  infer 
that  the  horse  may  suffer  the  loss  of  blood  with  comparative 
impunity.  jS'ow,  why  is  this?  It  is  because  the  horse  is 
naturally  a  full-blooded  or  plethoric  animal,  with  powerful 
lungs,  powerful  digestion,  and  of  great  powers  of  endurance, 
and  because  the  reparative  powers  of  his  system  are  very 
active.  His  system  may  endure  a  temporary  drain,  or  loss  of 
the  vital  fluid,  but,  from  his  full  habit,  it  will  very  soon  be 
restored.  Second,  it  is  an  established  fact  that  acute  inflam- 
mation wall  invariably  yield  immediately  to  bleeding;  and  it 
is  equally  true  that  it  will  not  return  again  in  a  large  propor- 
tion of  cases,  after  the  first  bleeding,  if  nothing  else  is  done. 
In  every  case,  in  the  early  stage  of  disease,  it  f)i'ocures  at 
least  a  temporary  arrest  of  the  inflammation,  and  gives  time 
for  the  use  of  other  remedies  to  prevent  its  return.  It  also 
reduces  the  proportion  of  those  elements  of  the  blood  which 
favor  the  progress  of  inflammation.  It  thus,  as  it  were,  cuts 
off  the  fuel  from  the  flame.  It  draws  off  the  undue  quantity 
of  blood  from  the  congested  vessels  of  the  inflamed  organ, 
and  gives  them  an  opportunity  to  contract  to  their  proper 
size.  It  removes  the  irritable  state  of  the  heart  and  arteries 
of  the  system,  and  equalizes  the  circulation  of  the  blood. 
This  is  shown  by  the  pulse  becoming  soft  and  natural,  and 
the  warmth  of  the  extremities  returning,  in  such  a  case  as 
pleurisy,  while  the  blood  is  being  taken.  Now,  while  I  con- 
tend that  these  efi*ects  are  most  desirable,  I  regard  it  of  equal 


254  NAVIN   ON   THE    HORSE. 

importance  to  make  use  of  sucli  measures  as  will  preserve 
tliese  good  results. 

IS'ow,  if  tliese  results  are  desirable,  there  is  certainly  great 
advantage  in  bringing  them  about  by  bleeding,  for  the  one 
powerful  reason  that  they  are  accomplished  in  a  few  minutes, 
whereas  they  can  not  be  brought  about  by  any  other  means 
short  of  several  hours. 

Many  object  to  bleeding,  in  acute  inflammatory  diseases  of 
the  horse,  from  the  fact  that  general  bleeding  is  not  much 
practiced  at  this  day  by  human  doctors.  And  this  is,  per- 
haps, the  j)rincipal  foundation  of  the  prejudice  against  it  in 
the  horse.  But  there  is  a  great  difference  in  the  circum- 
stances of  a  case  occurring  in  man  and  a  horse.  In  man,  the 
duration  of  most  inflammatory  diseases  is  several  days,  and 
there  is  abundant  time  for  medicines  to  act  before  the  disease 
reaches  the  point  of  danger.  In  the  horse,  such  diseases  run 
their  course  much  more  rapidly,  the  case  often  progressing 
beyond  the  reach  of  remedies  in  a  few  hours.  In  man,  the 
effect  of  medicines  can  be  obtained  in  from  one  to  three  hours, 
while  in  the  horse  the  time  required  is  much  longer.  Hence, 
though  Ave  may  safely  await  the  action  of  medicines  in  the 
human  patient,  we  can  not  in  the  horse.  His  disease  pro- 
gresses much  more  rapidly,  and  it  takes  longer  time  for  medi- 
cines to  act. 

It  is  urged  by  some  that  injury  is  done  the  horse  by  bleed- 
ing, by  reducing  the  proportion  of  red  globules  in  the  blood. 
This  is,  no  doubt,  true  of  the  human  patient  whose  blood  is 
already  below  the  standard  of  health,  but  ail  experience 
shows  that  men  of  full  habit,  and  rich  in  blood,  may  be  safely 
bled.  JSTow,  as  the  horse,  as  we  have  before  seen,  ir  of  pleth 
oric  habit,  we  would  expect  him  to  bear  bleeding  without 
injury ;  and  it  is  very  rare,  indeed,  that  any  real  injury 
follows  judicious  bleeding;  but  hundreds  of  horses  are  lost 
by  fooling  away  time  to  subdue  inflammation  by  the  use  of 
means  requiring  many  hours  for  thoir  nction  on  the  system. 


BLEEDING.  255 

If  the  evils  complained  of  did  actiically  follow  bleeding,  even 
then,  considering  the  immediate  good  it  accomplishes,  it  would 
yet  be  good  practice  to  resort  to  it. 

But  it  is  said  that  we  ought  to  discard  bleeding,  because 
dropsy  of  the  chest  and  general  dropsy  have  been  produced 
by  excessive  bleeding.  I  admit  it  to  be  the  fact  that  they  may 
be  so  brought  on.  But  in  an  experience  of  over  thirty  years 
no  such  case  has  occurred  in  my  practice.  I  think  such  is  the 
experience  of  good  veterinary  surgeons  generally. 

It  is  objected  that  the  practice  is  barbarous.  If  it  is  the 
safest,  as  it  certainly  is  the  quickest,  method  of  relieving  the 
animal  from  the  pain  and  danger  of  inflammation,  I  can  not 
see  wherein  it  is  barbarous.  Such  an  objection  to  a  remedy 
attended  with  so  little  pain  to  the  animal,  and  which  every 
person  knows  gives  present  relief,  at  least,  from  the  pain  of 
the  disease,  seems  too  ridiculous  to  be  urged  by  a  sensible  man. 

Bleeding  has  this  advantage,  that  it  is  a  remedy  that  can 
always  be  resorted  to  in  a  few  minutes  from  the  time  the  horse 
is  taken.  By  the  directions  given,  the  operation  can  be  per- 
formed by  any  one,  whereas  one  or  more  hours  have  to  be 
lost  in  going  to  the  drug-store,  often  many  miles  off.  By 
bleeding,  the  disease  can,  at  least,  be  held  in  abeyance  until 
other  necessary  remedies  can  be  obtained.  This  saving  of  time 
very  often  proves  to  be  the  saving  of  the  horse's  life.  It  is  a 
simple  remedy,  and  often  breaks  up  a  disease  at  once,  and 
may  save  the  expense  of  employing  a  veterinary  surgeon  and 
of  more  costly  medicines.  I  have  no  personal  interest  in  the 
world  in  recommending  men  to  bleed  their  horses  in  any  clis 
ease.  I  have  no  delight  in  seeing  blood  flow,  nor  even  in  see- 
ing man  or  animal  compelled  to  swaUow  offensive  drugs,  but 
I  solemnly  believe  that  the  proper  use  of  bleeding  is  one  of 
the  most  valuable  means  within  our  power  of  subduing  inflam- 
mation in  the  horse.  , 

Though  we  are  not  willing  to  entirely  condemn  bleeding, 
we  do  not  fail  to  use,  in  conjunction  with  it,  those  other  but 


256  ,  NAYIN    OX    THE    HORSE. 

slower  remedies,  wliicli  some  are  disposed  to  rely  on  entirely, 
such  as  nauseants,  diaphoretics,  etc. 

NICKING. 

This  operation  consists  in  dividing  or  cutting  the  muscles 
whose  office  it  is  to  draw  down  or  depress  the  tail.  The  object 
of  the  operation  is  to  cause  the  horse  to  carry  his  tail  in  a 
raised  position.  An  angle  of  elevation  of  about  forty-five 
degrees  is  generally  aimed  at. 

V^e  are  not  sure  that  good  taste,  Christianity,  and  humanity, 
are  not  all  violated  in  thus  mutilating  the  horse.  We  are 
sure  his  comfort  is  much  diminished. 

The  instruments  necessary  to  2:)erform  the  operation  of  nick- 
ing are,  a  nicking-knife,  or  a  narrow-bladed  knife,  rounded  on 
the  edge  from  the  heel  to  within  half  an  inch  from  the  point ; 
the  pulleys,  which  are  to  be  arranged  in  the  horse's  stall;  a 
twitch  for  the  nose  and  a  collar  around  the  neck,  to  which  two 
ropes  are  tied,  and  one  of  these  extended  back  to  the  pastern 
of  each  hind-leg.  The  horse  being  thus  manacled,  an  assistant 
holds  the  head  and  another  the  tail.  The  operator  then  passes 
the  knife  through  the  skin  at  the  side  of  the  tail,  as  near  the 
root  of  the  tail  as  possible,  so  that  the  back  of  the  knife  rests 
against  the  lower  side  of  the  tail-bone.  The  knife  having 
been  introduced  far  enough  to  pass  the  muscles  of  that  side, 
by  a  sawing  motion  of  the  knife  the  muscles  are  cut,  which 
may  be  known  by  the  edge  of  the  knife  reaching  the  skin. 
The  jnuscles  of  the  other  side  of  the  tail  are  then  to  be  cut  in 
the  same  way. 

The  same  operation  is  then  performed  about  an  inch  and  a 
half  or  two  inches  back  on  the  tail,  and  then  again  about  the  same 
distance  from  that  place,  so  that  the  under  muscles  of  the  tail 
are  cut  three  times.  Only  two  cuts  are  sometimes  made.  The 
horse  is  then  ready  for  the  pulleys.  The  tail  will  have  to  be 
kept  raised  by  the  pulleys  three  weeks  or  a  month.     He  should 


DOCKIXG — NERVIXG.  257 

be  taken  out  a  little  time  every  four  or  fi\e  days.  Light  feed 
should  be  given.  The  best  pulley  is  to  be  put  on  a  collar. 
Make  a  tail-set  of  light  wood,  and  place  it  on  the  rump,  with  a 
groove  for  the  tail  and  a  pulley  to  the  collar. 

DOCKINa. 

Docking,  or  amputation  of  the  tail,  should  be  joerformed  in 
the  following  manner:  The  horse  is  cast ;  the  place  it  is  desired 
to  take  the  tail  off  is  selected,  a  joint  is  found,  and  about  half 
an  inch  below  it,  by  one  sweep  of  the  knife,  the  skin  of  the 
tail  is  cut;  the  skin  is  then  forcibly  drawn  back  until  the  joint 
is  in  view;  the  knife  is  then  passed  squarely  through  the  joint, 
a.nd  the  tail  is  off.  There  are  two  arteries  which  may  have  to 
be  tied.  The  forceps  and  silk  should  be  on  hand  for  this  pur- 
pose ;  or  they  may  be  seared  with  a  hot  iron,  to  stoj)  the  bleed- 
ing. The  skin  is  then  drawn  down  over  the  end  of  the  bone, 
and  two  or  three  stitches  passed  through  it  to  close  the  wound. 
Cold-water  dressing,  or  a  little  tincture  of  aloes  and  myrrh,  is. 
all  that  will  be  needed. 

NERVING. 

This  operation  consists  in  cutting  in  two  the  ])lantar  nerves,, 
or  nerves  of  the  foot,  or  first  cutting  them  and  then  cutting  a. 
piece  off  of  one  of  the  cut  ends.  The  nerve  at  each  side  of 
the  pastern  is  to  be  operated  on.  To  perform  the  operation: 
requires  a  correct  knowledge  of  the  anatomy  of  the  foot  and. 
pastern.  The  horse  is  cast,  or  thrown,  and  the  foot  to  be- 
operated  on  firmly  secured;  or  chloroform  may  be  given  the 
horse,  when  an  assistant  can  hold  the  foot.  If  it  is  the  left 
foot  that  is  to  be  operated  on,  first  have  the  horse  thrown- 
on  the  right  side.  Then  clip  off  the  hair  to  the  outer  side  of 
the  pastern-joint,  and  by  careful  examination  the  situation  of 
the  artery  and  its  course  can  be  ascertained.  Then,  starting 
a  little  behind  the  artery,  and  about  an  inch  below  the  fetlock- 
17 


258  XAYIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

joint,  make  an  incision  through  the  skin,  about  an  inch  and  a 
half  in  length,  following  the  course  of  the  artery.  The  white 
or  cellular  tissue  covering  the  vessels  and  nerve  may  then  be 
carefully  dissected  back,  or  cut  through,  until  the  nerve,  which 
lies  close  to  the  artery,  can  be  seen.  It  will  be  known  by  its 
whiteness.  A  curved  needle,  threaded,  is  then  passed  under 
it,  and  drawn  through  until  the  nerve  can  be  raised  by  the 
thread.  A  knife  is  then  passed  under  it,  and  it  is  cut  in  two. 
The  lower  end  of  the  nerve  is  then  caught  wdth  a  pair  of 
forceps,  and  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  cut  off.  The  wound 
is  then  closed  by  sutures,  (stitches),  and  a  light  bandage  put 
round  the  limb,  and  kept  wet  with  water.  The  horse  should 
then  be  turned  and  the  other  side  of  the  limb  operated  on. 
If  the  operation  is  to  be  performed  on  both  feet,  first  operate 
on  the  inside  of  the  lower  foot,  and  then  on  the  outside  of  the 
upper  one.  Then  turn  the  horse,  and  operate  on  the  other 
sides  of  the  feet.  Then  keep  the  horse  tied  up  until  well,  and 
-on  a  soft  dirt  floor.  Any  person  with  some  skill  may  perform 
this  operation,  but  it  would  be  best  to  find  a  dead  animal  and 
•operate  on  it  first,  to  learn  the  practical  part. 

The  effect  of  this  operation  is  to  destroy  the  sensibility  or 
feeling  of  the  foot.  By  this  means  a  disease  of  the  foot  which 
•caused  the  horse  much  pain  and  lameness  is  entirely  unnoticed 
by  him ;  for  feeling  is  destroyed  in  the  foot,  and  he  walks  on  it 
as  if  nothing  were  the  matter.  It  is  as  dumb  as  a  wooden 
leg.  A  horse  that  was  utterly  useless,  on  account  of  lame- 
.ness,  may  be  restored  to  considerable  service  by  this  operation. 
It  does  not  cure  the  disease;  it  only  renders  the  horse  insensi- 
ble of  its  existence. 

The  operation  is  not  to  be  performed  during  the  acute  or 
inflammatory  stage  of  any  disease  of  the  foot.  Inflammation 
.should  be  entirely  removed  before  operating.  Accidents  may 
.attend  this  operation,  rendering  it  of  no  avail,  and  even  de- 
.stroying  the  horse  more  than  the  disease  would  have  done. 
Jj'or  is  a  horse  so  safe  and  sure-footed  after  it  as  a  sound  horse. 


CASTEATION.  259 

He  is  also  very  liable  to  batter  his  feet  badly,  for  he  has  no 
idea  of  taking  care  of  them. 

Nerving,  or  neurotomy,  is  generally  performed  for  incurable 
lameness  of  the  feet.  The  following  diseases  furnish  subjects 
for  this  operation:  Ring-bone,  disease  of  the  coffin-joint,  con- 
traction, inflammation  of  the  lamellae,  bony  cartilages,  etc. 
Always  remember  not  to  operate  while  inflammation  is 
present. 

CASTRATION. 

This  operation  has  been  performed  on  the  horse  from  the 
earliest  periods  of  his  domestication.  It  is  performed  for  the 
purpose  of  enhancing  the  usefulness  of  the  male  by  subduing 
his  spirit  and  rendering  him  mild  and  docile  as  the  female. 
While  it  accomplishes  this  object,  it  has  a  great  efl'ect  on  the 
future  development  of  his  frame.  It  produces  a  finer  develop- 
ment of  the  neck,  and  head,  and  shoulders,  and  renders  the 
whole  frame  more  like  that  of  the  female.  Immemorial  cus- 
tom has  sanctioned  this  operation.  The  questions,  then,  to 
be  considered  are,  at  what  age  should  the  operation  be  per- 
formed, and  how  should  it  be  performed?  In  deciding  the 
former,  the  safety  of  the  colt,  the  purpose  for  which  he  is  in- 
tended, and  the  degree  to  which  it  is  desired  to  preserve  the 
stallion  form,  are  to  be  considered.  Facility,  success,  and 
safety  are  to  be  considered  in  determining  the  method  of  oper- 
ating. The  younger  the  colt,  when  operated  on,  the  lighter 
will  he  be  in  the  forehand.  For  most  purposes,  and  among 
our  cold-blooded  horses,  the  age  of  one  year  wdll  generally 
be  best  for  the  operation,  all  circumstances  considered.  For 
heavy  draught-horses,  where  a  heavy  forehand  is  desirable, 
the  operation  may  be  deferred  to  two  and  a  half  or  three  years. 
For  the  carriage-horse,  the  age  of  two  years  will  secure  the 
most  favorable  development.  For  the  saddle,  greater  care 
should  be  exercised.  From  one  to  two  years,  according  to  the 
form  and  spirit  of  the  colt,  will  giv^e  the  desired  result.     No 


260  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

colt  intended  to  be  castrated  should  ever  be  allowed  to  cover 
a  mare. 

There  are  several  different  modes  of  performing  the  oper- 
ation of  castration.  That  which  is,  perhaps,  most  in  use  in 
this  country  is  the  French  method.  For  its  performance  are 
necessary  a  pair  of  hobbles,  so  constructed  as  to  cast  the  horse 
or  colt,  and  secure  the  hind-legs  firmly  forward,  a  scalpel,  or 
sharp  knife,  some  waxed  thread,  and  a  pair  of  clams.  The 
clams  are  best  made  of  a  piece  of  dry  elder,  from  five  to  six 
inches  in  length.  They  are  split  open  and  the  pith  removed, 
and  one  end  of  each  piece  beveled  off  for  about  half  an  inch. 
A  notch,  or  groove,  is  cut  around  them.  The  place  occupied 
by  the  pith  is  then  filled  with  a  thick  paste  made  of  flour  and 
mixed  with  corrosive  sublimate.  The  two  pieces  are  then 
placed  together,  and  a  waxed  cord  tied  around  the  beveled 
end,  so  as  to  form  a  sort  of  hinge.  The  clam  thus  prepared  is 
ready  for  use. 

The  subject  is  cast,  and  his  hind-legs  well  secured  forward. 
The  operator  then  places  himself  so  as  to  grasp  the  testicle  in 
his  left  hand,  the  knife  being  in  the  right,  and  by  a  gentle 
sweep  of  the  knife  backward,  cuts  through  the  scrotum,  or  bag, 
when  the  testicle,  covered  by  the  muscle  called  the  cremaster, 
and  the  tunica  vaginalis,  will  be  exposed.  By  a  very  gentle 
sweep  of  the  knife,  these  are  next  divided,  and  the  testicle  en- 
tirely uncovered,  is  in  view.  Or,  all  may  be  done  by  the  first 
sweep  of  the  knife.  The  clam  is  then  placed  well  up  on  the 
cord,  above  the  epididymus,  or  smaller  testicle,  and  the  open 
end  of  the  jaws  brought  firmly  together  by  a  few  turns  of  cord 
in  the  groove,  and  then  tied.  The  parts  outside  of  the  clam 
are  then  cut  off.  The  testicle  on  the  upper  side,  as  the  horse 
lies,  should  be  first  operated  on,  and  then  the  under  one.  On 
the  second  day  after  the  operation,  the  clams  should  be  re- 
moved, which  is  done  by  cutting  the  wax  cord  by  which  they 
are  tied,  when  they  readily  come  oft'. 

Another  method,  much  used,  is  by  cauterizing,  or  searing. 


FRACTURES.  261 

The  clams  used  in  this  operation  are  made  of  solid  wood, 
and  require,  of  course,  no  paste  nor  corrosive  sublimate.  A 
common  firing-iron  and  a  fire,  or  tinner's  furnace,  is  also  re- 
quired. The  operation,  in  all  of  its  steps,  is  performed  just 
as  the  one  before  described,  until  the  clam  is  applied,  and  then, 
instead  of  cutting  the  testicle  oif  outside  of  the  clam,  it  is  re- 
moved b}"  passing  t!ie  hot  iron  along  outside  of  the  clam.  The 
claiii  is  then  removed,  first  loosening  it  a  little  to  see  if  any 
bleeding  takes  place.  If  it  does,  touch  the  point  again  with 
the  hot  iron,  and  then  remove  the  clam  entirely.  Either  of  the 
above  operations,  skillfully  performed,  will  be  very  successful, 
but  carelessly,  may  often  prove  fatal. 

FRACTURES. 

Fractures  may  cTccur  in  any  of  the  bones,  but  are  more  fre- 
quently met  with  in  the  long  bones.  They  are  serious  in- 
juries, but  not  entirely  out  of  the  reach  of  treatment.  I  have 
treated  successfully  the  pastern,  the  shank,  the  upper  arm, 
and  the  low^er  thigh,  bones.  I  shall  only  lay  down  the  general 
principles  to  be  observed,  without  describing,  particularly, 
each  fracture.  This  being  done,  any  j^erson  with  some  inge- 
nuity may  reduce  and  bandage  any  fracture. 

The  nature  and  extent  of  the  fracture  are  to  be  determined, 
and  then  the  proper  splints  prepared.  These  may  be  made  of 
wood,  and  hollowed  out  with  a  gouge,  so  as  to  fit  the  part  to 
which  they  are  to  be  applied,  or  a  number  of  narrow  splints 
may  be  used,  being  notched  about  an  inch  or  two  from  one  end, 
and  tied  together  with  twine,  three  or  four  knots  being  tied  be- 
tween each  to  keep  them  apart.  Several  bandages  of  heavy 
muslin  are  to  be  prepared,  and  rolled  up.  A  quantity  of 
starch  is  to  be  prepared,  to  soak  the  bandages  in,  or,  what  is 
better,  a  quantity  of  cumfrey-root,  grated  down  into  a  mucilage. 
The  fractured,  or  broken,  ends  of  the  bone  are  then  to  be 
brought  together  in  their  natural  position.  If  the  patient  is 
on  his  feet,  place  the  mate  of  the  fractured  limb  on  some  solid 


262  NAvm  ox  the  horse. 

object,  to  raise  the  injured  one  up  somewhat.  Then,  by  hav- 
ing an  assistant  pull  on  the  limb,  with  the  hands  adjust  the 
broken  bone.  This  done,  if  cumfrey-root  is  used,  coat  the 
limb  with  it  by  spreading  the  preparation  on  a  cloth,  and  then 
bandage  the  leg  with  several  thicknesses  of  roller.  Then 
apply  the  splints  in  the  proper  place,  to  keep  the  fracture  per- 
fectly in  place.  I  prefer  the  series  of  narrow  splints  tied  to- 
gether, as  before  described.  Apply  the  splints,  and  then  -tie 
a  twine  around  the  middle,  sufficiently  tight  to  hold  the  frac- 
ture firmly  in  place ;  then  tie  the  cords  at  the  ends  of  the 
splints.  After  this  dressing,  the  limb  will  be  thoroughly  en- 
cased in  a  hard  shell.  The  horse  will  take  care  not  to  bear 
his  weight  on  it,  but  he  should  be  kept  where  he  will  be  as 
quiet  as  possible.  Cold  water  may  be  freely  used  above  and 
below  the  bandage.  If  starch  is  used,  instead  of  cumfrey-root, 
every  bandage  must  be  soaked  in  it  before  applying. 

In  some  cases,  it  may  be  necessary  to  have  the  splints  pass 
beyond  a  neighboring  joint.  In  this  case,  a  suitable  iron 
splint  should  be  used.  When  the  bone  is  properly  knit,  the 
hoof  will  become  w^arm,  and  the  horse  will  be  inclined  to  use 
the  limb.  The  bandaging  may  then  be  taken  oif.  But  the 
horse  should  not  be  put  to  pulling  for  some  time. 

Fracture  of  the  bones  of  the  head  may  sometimes  be  met 
with,  in  which  broken  or  loose  pieces  of  bone  may  have  to 
be  removed. 


FOALING. 

As  a  general  rule,  the  mare  requires  no  assistance  from 
man  in  this  condition.  But  it  may  happen  that  the  foal  fails 
to  come  in  the  proper  way,  which  is  with  the  head  forward, 
and  becomes  so  entangled  that  the  life  of  the  foal  or  the  dam 
may  be  endangered.     When  this  is  the  case,  a  stout  man  with 


FOALING.  263 

some  skill  and  good  nerve  may,  by  persevering  effort,  gently 
and  firmly,  so  change  the  position  of  the  foal  as  to  enable  the 
eiforts  of  the  mare  to  expel  it.  If  it  is  impossible  to  so  change 
the  foal  as  to  bring  the  head  down  properly,  the  operator  may 
pass  the  hand  up  so  as  to  get  hold  of  both  hind-feet,  and 
bring  them  down  so  that  the  foal  may  come  rump  foremost. 
It  may  require  considerable  force  to  turn  the  foal,  but  there  is 
no  danger  in  it  if  it  is  patiently  applied;  but  the  parts 
already  born  should  never  be  caught  hold  of  for  the  purpose 
of  pulling  the  foal  away.  The  dam  may  be  ruined  by  such 
meddling. 

Talcing  the  Foal  Away. — Sometimes  the  foal  is  so  large  that 
it  can  not  be  born.  In  such  case,  if  it  is  evident  the  life  of 
the  dam  will  be  lost  by  longer  waiting,  the  hand  may  be 
passed  up  until  it  rests  under  the  fore-leg  of  the  foal,  an  open 
knife  having  been  carefully  held  in  the  hand,  and  then  the  leg 
of  the  foal  carefully  separated  from  its  body  by  the  knife.  In 
this  operation  great  care  must  be  taken  not  to  injure  or  cut 
the  parts  of  the  dam  which  closely  infold  the  colt.  If  neces- 
sary, other  parts  of  the  foal  may  be  similarly  removed. 

Taking  away  the  Placenta. — Occasionally  the  mare  does  not 
clean  in  a  proj^er  time.  This  may  cause  inflammation.  If 
inflammation  is  threatened,  the  placenta  should  be  taken 
away.  This  may  be  done  by  passing  the  hand,  w^ell  greased, 
far  up,  and  beyond  the  parts  to  be  taken  away,  and  then 
grasping  them  and  bringing  them  out  with  the  hand. 

Bupture  in  Foaling. — Sometimes  the  parts  which  lie  between 
the  fundament  and  bearing  are  torn  in  foaling,  so  that  both 
openings  are  united.  Some  good  may  be  done,  in  such  a  case, 
by  stitching  up  the  wound  with  a  fine,  curved,  surgeon's 
needle  and  fine  surgeon's  silk,  then  keeping  the  patient's 
bowels  loose.     The  prospects  are  not  very  favorable  to  a  cure. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  I  treated  one  of  the  worst 
cases  I  ever  saw,  successfully. 


264  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  TEETH. 

Theke  is  no  particular  disease  of  the  teeth  with  which  I 
have  ever  met,  though  I  have  often  read  of  such.  All  the 
difficulties  of  importance  with  the  teeth  are  the  result  of  acci- 
dent, irregular  growth,  or  from  the  front  grinders  wearing  out. 

Wearing  by  the  Bit. — When  a  horse  is  very  old,  and  has 
been  much  used  through  life  with  the  headstall  of  his  bridle 
too  short,  causing  the  bit  to  rest  on  the  front  grinders,  or  if  he 
has  been  in  the  habit  of  champing  the  bit,  the  teeth  may  be- 
come worn  down  to  the  forked  roots,  or  prongs,  and  these 
spreading  apart,  will  leave  a  space  between  them,  into  which 
the  hay  or  grass  gets  so  firmly  packed  that  the  horse  can  not 
get  it  out.  This  will  keep  the  teeth  apart  and  stop  the  pro- 
cess of  grinding,  and  the  horse  will  die  of  starvation,  or  from 
bolting  or  swallowing  his  food  unground.  Among  those  I 
have  examined  was  an  old  huntress,  belonging  to  my  father. 
She  was  just  twenty-six  years  old  when  she  died.  She  lin- 
gered a  whole  summer.  I  was  away  studying  when  she  com- 
menced to  decline,  but  happened  to  be  at  home  when  she  died. 
On  examination  I  found  the  teeth  worn  down  so  that  all  the 
prongs  stood  apart,  and  the  space  between  them  so  tightly 
filled  with  grass  that  they  met  above  and  below,  keeping 
the  teeth  entirely  apart.  Since  then  I  have  seen  several,  and 
relieved  them. 

Treatme7it. — As  prevention  is  always  better  than  cure,  never 
rein  the  horse  up  so  as  to  wear  his  teeth  out  in  this  way. 
But  when  the  difficulty  has  occurred,  which  may  be  sus- 
pected if  an  old  horse  commences  to  decline  without  any  other 
a]3parent  cause,  the  only  remedy  is  to  extract,  or  pull  out,  the^ 
teeth  or  roots  causing  the  mischief.  This  may  be  done  with 
a  common  turnkey,  made  for  the  purpose,  like  those  used  by 
tooth-pullers,  or  with  a  strong  pair,  like  dentist's  forceps,  made 
for  the  purpose. 


AFFECTIOXS  OF  THE  TEETH.  265 

Accidents  to  the  Teeth.— These  may  occur  from  blows,  kicks, 
or  other  violence,  received  about  the  mouth,  and  may  be  of 
very  considerable  or  trifling  extent.  If  merely  knocked 
loose,  they  should  be  forced  to  their  proper  position,  and  the 
horse  be  fed  on  ground  feed  for  a  short  time,  until  they  be- 
come solid.  But  if  left  hanging  by  the  skin  or  gum,  or  badly 
broken  and  loose,  remove  them  by  cutting  the  gum  loose,  and 
then  .use  the  forceps,  if  necessary,  to  get  them  out. 

Irregular  Crroivth  of  the  Teeth.— One  form  of  irregularity  of 
the  teeth,  called  ''Jish-mouth,''  is  more  properly  owing  to  an 
unnatural  growth  of  the  under  jaw,  than  to  any  defect  in  the 
teeth  themselves.     The  jaw  either  not  growing  long  enough, 
or  too  long,  causes  the  grinders  of  one  jaw  to  stand  forward  of 
those  of  the  other,  thus  leaving  a  part  of  two  pair  unexposed 
to  the  wear  of  the  grinding  process,  and  which  will,  eventually, 
project  so  high  as  not  only  to  interfere  with  grinding,  but  even 
to  wound  the  gum.     At  the  same  time,  the  nippers  not  meet- 
ing squarely,  but  one  set  projecting  forward  of  the  others,  they 
wear  oif  unevenly,  leaving  sharp  edges,  which  will  wound  the 
gum,  and  prevent  the  horse  from  grazing  or  properly  gather- 
ing his  food.     A  similar  casualty  is  one  grinder  growing  two 
far  in  or  out,  and  the  unworn  portion,  projecting  above  the 
level  of  the  teeth,  prevents   the  grinding  process.     This  is 
sometimes  called  a  '^buck-tooths     In  these  cases,  the  horse 
will  pine  away  and  lose  his  flesh.     When  a  horse  commences 
to  lose  condition,  without  any  known  disease  working  on  him, 
either  lampass  or  one  of  these  difficulties  may  be  expected; 
the  latter  if  the  horse  grinds  his  food,  letting  part  of  it  fall 
out  of  the  mouth,  or  if  he  turns  his  head  to  one  side  to  chew. 
Treatment. — The  projecting  portions  of  the  teeth  must  be 
sawed  oif  level  with  the  other  teeth ;  and  a  look-out  must  then 
be  kept  for  the  recurrence  of  the  same  difficulty,  for  it  will  be 
very  sure  to  return.     Perhaps  in  some  cases  it  would  be  better 
to  extract  the  offending  tooth. 

Occasionally  the  enamel  wears  oif  the  grinders  in  such  a  way 


266 


NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 


as  to  leave  a  rough  side  next  the  cheek,  causing  an  ugly  sore. 
In  this  case  the  tooth  must  be  rasped  smooth. 

Carious,  rotten,  or  hollow  teeth  may  sometimes  be  met  with, 
but  their  occurrence  is  very  seldom — doubtless  would  be  very 
common  if  the  horse  were  allowed  hot  feed. 


SHOEING. 

It  is  not,  perhaps,  positively  known  when  shoes  were  first  put 
on  horses'  feet.     It  has  been  over  three  hundred  years  since  the 

practice  of  shoeing  the  horse  was 
introduced  into  England,  The 
amount  and  kind  of  service  re- 
quired of  the  domesticated  horse 
is  attended  with  a  degree  of  wear 
and  tear  of  the  hoof  for  which  na- 
ture has  not  sufficiently  provided. 
Without  some  means,  therefore, 
of  preventing  this  extraordinary 
wear,  the  horse  must  be  incapable 
of  long  performing  much  of  the 
service  required  of  him. 

To  accomplish  this  object  the 
shoe  is  used.  It  is  intended  to 
protect  that  part  of  the  wall  of  the  hoof  called  the  tread  from 
wear,  and  guard  the  other  parts  of  the  bottom  of  the  foot  from 
accidents  to  which  they  are  liable  when  the  tread  is  much  worn 
down. 

The  art  of  shoeing  is  one  of  much  more  importance  than  is 
generally  supposed.  It  requires  an  amount  of  knowledge  to 
practice  it  successfully,  seldom  possessed  by  those  who  follow  it. 
The  shoeing-smith  should  understand  the  anatomy  of  the  foot 
thoroughly,  the  diseases  to  which  it  is  liable,  the  influence  of 


COXCAVE-SEATED  SlIUE. 

A,  A,  A,  Seat  of  the  wall  of  the  foot  on  -the 
shoe,  the  fullering  being  on  the  lower  or  under 
side. 

B,  The  concaving  or  hoUowin".  Use  as 
many  nail-holos  as  is  necessary.  This  is  the 
near  or  Ifit  Klioe,  the  last  hole  further  from  the 
heel  on  the  inside. 


DOUBLE  SHOE  FOR  DISEASED  FOOT. 
Bj  B,  B,  B,  Projections  with  screw-holes  to  receive  screws  of  lower  shoe. 

C,  Nail-holes  to  fasten  upper  shoe  on  the  foot. 

D,  F,  The  bars  pressing  the  leather  against  the  sole. 

E,  E,  E,  E,  Projections  with  holes  ;  the  screws  pass  through  them  to  those  on  the  upper 
shoe,  to  be  tightened  as  necessary. 

This  shoe  is  especially  applicable  in  the  treating  of  pumiced  foot. 

shoeing  in  producing  them,  as  well  as  every  thing  necessary  to 
the  skillful  performance  of  his  trade.  It  is  true  that  general 
rules  and  principles  may  be  laid  down  to  assist  him,  and,  to  some 
extent,  govern  his  operations,  but  much  will  depend  on  his  judg- 
ment. If  it  be  true,  as  it  most  certainly  is,  that  shoeing  is  always 
attended  with  some  injury  to  the  foot,  how  much  more  evil  may 
we  expect  when  the  operation  is  badly  performed,  as  it  must 
often  be,  when  the  smith  is  ignorant  of  the  structure,  nature, 
and  movements  of  the  complicated  machine  (for  such  the 
horse's  foot  may  appropriately  be  styled)  with  which  he  has  to 
interfere ! 

The  injuries  that  are  liable  to  be  done  to  the  horse's  foot  by 
bad  shoeing  are  numerous,  but  not  immediately  inflicted.  They 
are  only  the  more  dangerous  on  this  account.  They  are  brought 
on  gradually,  by  the  continued  evil  of  bad  shoeing.  The  horse 
is  often  totally  destroj'ed  in  this  way,  the  owner  never  suspect- 
ing the  true  cause  of  the  difficulty,  or  if  he  should  hint  such  a 
thing,  his  smith,  watchful  of  his  ®wn  interests,  refers  it  to  every 
thing  but  the  right  cause. 


268  NAVIN   ON   THE    HORSE. 

There  are  some  smiths  who  know  nothing  at  all  of  the  anat- 
omy of  the  foot,  and  who  are  too  bigoted  to  learn  any  thing, 
who  are  wedded  to  some  one  particular  form  of  shoe,  and  which 
they  bring  all  feet  to  fit,  in  a  icay.;  v/ith  the  same  consistency 
and  equal  reason  of  the  king  who  made  a  box  of  right  length 
for  himself,  and  determined  that  all  his  subjects  should  be  made 
to  fit  it — those  too  short,  to  be  stretched,  and  those  too  long,  to 
be  cut  ofi'. 

I  will  state  some  of  the  errors  which  are  most  common  among 
these  one-idead  men.  They  make  all  shoes  the  same  shape,  or 
form ;  give  the  same  concavity  or  bevel  on  the  side  of  the  web 
next  to  the  foot;  make  the  web  of  all  the  same  width;  make 
all  the  same  weight  and  the  same  length;  form  the  calkings,  if 
any  are  used,  the  same  for  every  horse,  or  only  form  a  calk  on 
one  side  of  the  shoe ;  use  nails  in  all  cases  of  the  same  strength ; 
direct  the  nails  the  same  for  all  kinds  of  w^ork ;  nail  too  near 
the  heels ;  make  the  fullering,  or  groove  for  the  nail-heads  to 
rest  in,  too  far  from  the  outer  edge  of  the  shoe;  pare  the  crust, 
if  they  pare  it  at  all,  the  same  on  both  sides,  but  generally  pare 
neither  side  enough ;  shorten  all  toes  alike ;  do  not  pare  the 
sole  at  all ;  they  tear  the  old  shoe  off  instead  of  drawing  the 
nails,  and  thus  injure  the  hoof;  they  fit  the  shoe  entirely  by 
burning ;  they  cut  down,  or  even  cut  awaj^,  the  bars ;  cut  down 
the  frog ;  they  cut  away  the  inside  of  the  crust  in  the  vain 
effort  to  prevent  interfering;  and  often  go  to  the  useless  trouble 
of  putting  on  clips,  wdiich  are  not  only  of  no  advantage,  but 
positively  injurious. 

I  shall  now  give  in  full  the  best  practice  to  pursue  in  shoe- 
ing, considering  each  princii:)le  to  be  borne  in  mind  separately. 

First,  the  shoe  must  agree  with  the  natural  shape  of  the  foot. 
This  is  a  proposition  that  common  sense  ought  to  teach  any 
man  is  correct,  but  it  does  not  seem  to  do  so  in  all  cases. 
Many  smiths,  as  before  observed,  adhere  to  a  particular  form 
of  shoe,  and  endeavor  to  bring  all  feet  to  it.  It  is  evident  to 
any  one,  that  if  the  hoof  is  long  and  narrow,  the  quarters  but 
very  little  flaring,  which  is  called  a  sta2:)le  hoof,  it  requires  a 


SHOEING. 


269 


staple  shoe,  that  is,  a  shoe  not  much  flaring  at  the  quarters, 
but  running  back  nearly  straight.  If  such  a  shoe  is  put  on  a 
round  hoof,  the  quarters  will  project  over  it,  and  the  black- 
smith may  pare  the  projecting  edge  oif,  but,  in  so  doing,  he 
destroys  a  valuable  part  of  the  border  of  the  wall  which  should 
rest  on  the  web  of  the  shoe. 

If  a  round  shoe  be  put  on  a  staple  hoof,  the  shoe  will  project 
too  much  at  the  quarters,  and  the  heels  of  the  shoe  will  come 
too  close  together  and  too  much  under.  By  coming  too  close 
together,  they  confine  or  press  on  the  frog,  and  thus  prevent 
its  free  motion  as  a  wedge  to  cause  the  foot  to  expand  or  spread, 
causing  it  to  be  absorbed,  or  wasted  away,  and  diminished  in 
size.  Causing  the  frog  to  be  more  or  less  confined,  and,  conse- 
quently, wasted  away,  is  the  main  evil  which  necessarily 
attends  shoeing.  For  this  reason  we  should  be  particularly 
careful  not  to  increase  this  evil  by  bad  shoeing. 

No  shoe  should  be  gathered  in  too  far  under  the  heel.  The 
shoe  should  not  be  brought  around  perfectly  even  with  the 
wall  of  the  hoof  at  the  heel,  and  terminate  just  even  with  the 
wall,  as  it  is  reflected,  or  turned  in,  to  form  the  bars.  Com- 
mencing at  the  back  part  of  the  quarter,  the  shoe  should  pro- 
ject a  little  beyond  the  crust,  and  still  a  little  more  as  it  passes 
back,  and  should  extend  beyond  the  heel  of  the  crust  about 
one-eighth  of  an  inch,  or  a  little  more.  Now,  what  is  the  ob- 
ject of  thus  letting  the  shoe  come  out  further  than  even  with 
the  crust,  as  it  passes  from  the  quarter  and  back  of  the  heel? 
I  will  explain.  Xine-tenths  of  the  shoes  put  on  in  this  country 
are  allowed  to  remain  on  for  several  months,  or  until  they 
come  off  by  long  use.  By  the  natural  growth  downward  and 
forward  of  those  parts  which  hold  the  nails,  the  shoe  is  carried 
forward,  and  if  left  even  with  the  crust  at  the  back  part  of  the 
quarter  and  heel,  must  soon  be  carried  so  far  forward  that  the 
crust,  at  these  parts,  will  project  over  the  shoe,  and  in  a  very 
short  time  the  heel  of  the  shoe  will  be  found  imbedded  inside 
the  crust  between  it  and  the  bars,  that  is,  on  that  part  of  the 


270  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

sole  whicli  is  tlic  seat  of  corn.  By  allowing  the  heel  of  the 
shoe  to  project  as  described,  it  has  a  tendency  to  lead  the  crust 
outward,  by  the  natural  motions  of  the  hoof,  and  thus  oppose 
contraction.  It  also  prevents  the  shoe  from  being  drawn  for- 
ward and  imbedding  the  heel  in  the  sole,  where  corns  occur. 
It  also  interferes  less  with  the  free  action  of  the  frog  than 
other  forms  of  shoe. 

The  objections  that  have  been  urged  to  this  form  of  heel  for 
the  shoe  are,  that  it  is  liable  to  be  trod  upon  by  the  other 
feet  and  torn  off,  that  it  affords  insufficient  protection  to  the 
heel  of  the  sole,  or  the  seat  of  corns,  and  that  it  offers  greater 
resistance  in  mud  or  heavy  ground  to  the  drawing  out  of  the 
foot.  To  meet  these  objections  I  would  say,  the  heel  is  so  far 
under  that  there  can  be  but  the  least  danger  of  the  shoe  being 
caught  by  another  foot,  unless  it  projects  very  much  further 
than  I  have  recommended.  No  width  of  web  can  prevent 
corns,  and  no  narrowness  produce  them.  If  the  crust  at  the 
heel  is  pared  down  too  low,  and  especially  if  the  bar  is  pared 
down,  or  the  scaly  horn  over  the  seat  of  corn  is  left  on,  any 
shoe,  however  wide  or  narrow,  will  bruise  the  sole  enough  to 
produce  corn.  To  the  other  objection,  I  have  only  to  say  that 
any  foot  will  come  out  of  the  hole  it  makes  in  soft  ground,  and 
that,  before  the  foot  starts  to  raise,  the  heel  is  thrown  forward 
and  upward,  so  that  the  heel  of  the  shoe  has  little  or  no 
resistance  to  encounter.  I  consider  these  objections  almost 
groundless. 

The  Seating  of  the  Shoe. — That  part  of  the  side  of  the  web 
of  the  shoe  which  the  crust  rests  on  is  called  the  seating.  It 
is  of  the  same  width  of  the  thickness  of  the  crust,  and  should 
be  perfectly  level,  so  that  when  the  crust  is  pared  to  a  perfect 
level  it  will  fit  on  it  close  enough  to  hold  water.  Nothing  coil- 
tributes  more  to  making  the  shoe  hold  on  than  its  perfectly 
fitting  the  crust. 

The  Concave  of  tlie  Shoe. — The  side  of  the  web  which  is  next 
the  foot  is  not  all  left  flat;  Ijut  the  inner  jiart,  from  wliore  the 


SHOEIXG.  271 

crust  rests  on  it,  is  beveled  off,  or  concaved,  as  it  is  termed. 
This  beveling  off  docs  not  extend  all  the  way  around;  it  is  only 
to  be  carried  back  to  where  the  shoe  passes  over  the  bar,  that 
is,  past  the  seat  of  corn.  This  concaving  is  not  to  be  made  by 
•bending  down  the  inner  part  of  the  web,  but  it  is  to  be  done  so 
that  the  beveling  will  appear  as  if  it  had  been  shaved  out, 
leaving  the  outside  exactly  level. 

The  object  of  the  concave  is  to  })revent  the  iron  shoe  from 
resting  on  the  sole  and  bruising  it,  which  it  would  do,  in  many 
cases,  if  the  side  of  the  web  next  the  foot  were  not  beveled. 
This  beveling  is  especially  important  over  the  seat  of  corn. 

Some  men  speak  very  confidently  of  a  broad  web  as  a  means 
of  protecting  the  sole,  and  the  seat  of  corn  especially,  but  I 
can  not  see  any  great  utility  in  it.  Indeed,  if  a  shoe  could  be 
made  of  sufficient  strength,  and  only  substitute  the  part  of  the 
tread  worn  off,  it  would  be  the  best  that  could  be  invented. 

It  is  only  after  the  tread  is  worn  down  that  the  'shoe  is 
needed  at  all ;  it  is  never  needed  to  protect  from  corn  or  bruise 
while  there  is  sufficient  horn  to  keep  the  sole  from  wear. 

The  Width  of  ihe  Web. — From  what  has  just  been  stated,  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  great  object  to  be  accomplished  is  not  to 
cover  up  the  bottom  of  the  foot,  but  to  furnish  a  substitute 
for  that  part  which  is  worn  off  by  the  work  required  of  the 
horse.  We  must  imitate  nature.  The  shoe  should  be  of  suf- 
ficient strength  not  to  be  broken  or  bent  by  coming  in  contact 
with  a  stone,  and  should  furnish  a  surface  to  the  ground  that 
will  stand  a  reasonable  amount  of  wear.  For  these  reasons  it 
must  have  considerable  breadth;  but  it  is  plain  that  a  very 
broad,  flat  shoe  will  offer  greater  resistance  to  the  constant 
expanding  of  the  foot  than  a  narrower  one.  The  latter  may 
yield  a  little,  but  the  former  none  at  all. 

The  shoe  should  be  near  a  quarter  of  an  inch  wider  around 
the  toe  than  at  the  heels,  for  at  the  toe  it  is  subject  to  the 
greatest  wear  and  liability  to  be  broken. 


272  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

The  shoe  may  vary  in  width  for  different  horses,  depending 
on  the  purpose  for  which  they  are  used.  A  flat-footed  horse 
may  also  need  a  broader  webbed  shoe  than  a  cup-hoofed  one, 
or  one  that  has  a  very  concave  hoof. 

The  web  of  the  racer's  shoe  should  not  be  very  much 
broader  than  the  thickness  of  the  crust.  It  is  usually  made  so 
that  it  is  about  the  same  width  inside  of  the  fullering  that  it  is 
outside  of  it.  It  is  also  made  to  fit  evenly  with  the  hoof 
around  the  quarters  and  heel.  The  horse  for  the  farm  or  gen- 
eral purposes  requires  a  shoe  with  a  web  somewhat  broader 
than  the  racer,  but  by  no  means  so  broad  as  is  often  put  on 
by  those  who  think  the  shoe  should  cover  a  large  portion  of 

the  sole. 

Heavy  draught-horses,  of  course,  require  the  broadest  ^veb, 
for  the  strain  and  v/ear  of  their  shoes  are  the  greatest;  nor 
does  the  additional  weight  greatly  interfere  with  their  slow 
motion. 

Weight  of  the  Shoe.-—T\\ii  weight  of  the  shoe  mainly  depends 
on  the  thickness.  The  bar  should  be  just  thick  enough  to  fur- 
nish the  proper  strength  for  the  service  for  which  the  horse  is 
required.  A  heavy  road-horse  requires  a  heavy  shoe.  The 
shoe  should  generally  be  of  the  same  thickness  all  the  way 
around.  But  certain  impediments  require  a  departure  from 
this  rule,  which  will  be  pointed  out  in  the  proper  place. 

The  Calkins  or  ''Cor/is^ — Many  smiths  are  in  the  habit  of 
turning  calkins,  or,  as  they  often  call  them,  "corks,"  on  all 
shoes,  and  alike  for  all  horses,  for  whatever  purpose  they  may 
be  used.     This  is  a  most  injurious  practice. 

Calkins  are  not  only  generally  useless,  but  positively  injuri- 
ous. The  horse  that  ii  to  be  used  for  heavy  draught,  on  exceed- 
ingly hard,  steep  roads,  or  on  ice  or  frozen  ground,  may  require 
them,  but  for  general  purposes,  on  ordinary  roads,  they  are  an 
evil.  When  they  are  used,  both  should  be  of  exactly  the  same 
length.  In  no  case  should  a  calkin  be  turned  on  one  heel  and 
not  on  the  other.    By  this  practice,  which  is  often  recommended 


SHOEING,  273 

to  prevent  interfering,  the  most  fatal  injuries  to  the  foot  may 
occur. 

The  Nails. — The  blacksmith  should  know  the  work  the  horse 
is  intended  for,  so  that  he  may  make  the  nails  to  correspond. 
The  nails  generally  used  are  too  coarse ;  they  cut  up  the  hoof 
too  much.  They  should  be  as  fine  as  possible  to  have  suffi- 
cient strength,  and  if  the  shoe  is  properly  made  and  fitted 
there  is  but  little  danger  from  too  fine  a  nail.  Some  smiths 
may  say  "a  fine  nail  will  not  drive,"  but  if  the  nail  is  not  made 
unnecessarily  long,  its  being  fine  will  have  but  little  to  do  in 
preventing  its  driving.  There  is  no  necessity  of  the  nail  being 
any  longer  than  just  sufficient  to  come  through  enough  to  make 
a  neat  clinch. 

Driving  the  Kails. — This  is  a  most  important  part  of  the 
shoeing-smith's  business,  for  in  performing  it  there  is  danger 
of  wounding  the  foot  so  as  to  bring  on  incurable  disease.  When, 
we  consider  that  many  shoers  know  nothing  of  the  anatomy 
or  structure  of  the  horse's  foot,  we  can  but  wonder  that  they 
perform  their  work  without  doing  much  more  injury  than, 
they  do. 

For  the  draught-horse,  one  used  for  drawing,  or  pulling,  the 
nails  should  be  driven  so  as  to  incline  toward  the  heel  about 
the  width  of  the  nail.     When  the  nail  is  driven  in  this  direc-- 
tion,  the  strain  in  drawing,  or  pulling,  does  not  come  square 
across  the  nail,  but  slightly  in  the  direction  of  its  length.    The' 
horn  of  the  crust  is  less  injured  by  driving  the  nails  so  as  tO' 
incline  backward,  for  they  take  nearer  the  direction  of  its  grain,. 
The  nails  should  be  driven  so  that  they  will  all  come  out  ex- 
actly the  same  distance  up  on  the  crust;  if  not,  some  nails  will 
have  greater  strain  on  them  than  others,  and  be  liable  to  come- 
loose.     Neatness  demands  that  all  should  come  out  in  a  line, 
and  there  is  much  more  danger  of  bringing  the  nails  out  too 
high  up  than  too  low  down.     There  is  no  need  of  the  nail  com- 
ing out  high  up  on  the  hoof,  for  it  does  not  add  to  its  security, 
and  injures  an  unnecessary  amount  of  the  horn  of  the  crust. 
18 


274  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

Numher  of  Nails  Necessary. — This  is  a  point  on  which  there 
is  much  difference  of  opinion,  and  many  absurd  notions  enter- 
tained. Some  good  authors  recommend  as  many  as  nine  nails 
to  each  shoe ;  others  eight ;  others  sei^'en ;  and  some  as  small 
a  number  as  five  for  horses  of  light  service.  It  is  very  cer- 
tain that  the  nails  are  principally  concerned  in  confining  the 
hoof,  or  preventing  those  spreading  and  contracting  motions 
which  are  natural  to  the  hoof,  and  on  which  its  health  and 
elasticity,  or  springiness,  to  so  great  an  extent  depend.  For 
this  reason  that  system  of  nailing  should  be  adopted  which 
will  least  interfere  with  those  motions,  and  at  the  same  time 
secure  the  shoe  on  the  foot.  Two  questions,  then,  are  to  be 
considered:  what  is  the  least  number  of  nails  necessary  to 
Jiold  the  shoe  ?  and,  how  shall  they  be  placed  to  least  inter- 
fere with  the  expansion  of  the  foot?  IS'ature  has  so  made  the 
inner  side  of  the  hoof  as  to  enable  it  to  expand  more  than  the 
outer,  for  it  is  thinner  at  the  quarter  and  heel,  the  place  where 
the  expansion,  or  spreading,  takes  place,  as  the  frog  is  driven 
■or  forced  up. 

From  these  facts  it  would  appear  that  the  outer  side,  or  limb, 
of  the  shoe  should  be  firmly  secured,  and  the  inner  limb  left 
as  free  as  possible,  so  that  the  inner  quarter  and  heel  may  move 
on  it.  Whatever  number  of  nails  are  put  in  the  inner  side 
should  be  placed  around  the  toe. 

I  would  say,  then,  that  for  heavy  draught-horses  seven  nails 
are  sufficient,  four  in  the  outer  limb  of  the  shoe  and  three  in 
the  inner.  It  is  not  so  injurious  to  this  class  of  horses  if  the  foot 
is  more  confined. 

For  lighter  horses,  and  for  quicker  action,  six  nails  will  be 
enough,  four  in  the  outer  limb  and  two  in  the  inner,  and  these 
very  near  the  front  of  the  toe.  Free  expansion  of  the  foot  is 
of  great  importance  to  trotters  and  racers.  A  race  may  be 
lost  by  the  slightest  error  or  defect  in  shoeing,  especially  in 
the  nailing. 

The  Fullering. — The  groove,  or  channel,  on  the  ground  side 


SHOEING.  275 

of  the  shoe  is  called  the  fulleiiing.  It  has  two  objects,  the 
principal  one  of  which  is  to  receive  the  heads  of  the  nails  and 
prevent  them  from  being  bent  or  broken  off;  its  other  object 
is  to  increase  the  secm'ity  of  the  foot  on  the  ground.  The  nail- 
holes,  of  course,  are  punched  in  the  fullering. 

The  fullering  should  be  as  near  the  outer  edge  of  the  shoe 
as  possible,  and  the  nail-holes  should  be  so  punched  as  to 
slant  inward,  making  the  nail  take  nearly  the  direction  of  the 
grain  of  the  crust.  The  nail-hole  should  come  out  on  the  foot, 
or  upper  side  of  the  shoe,  near  the  inner  border  of  the 
seating,  but  never  in  the  beveling,  or  concaving.  Then,  by  a 
proper  pointing  of  the  nail,  it  can  easily  be  made  to  come  out 
rightly  on  the  crust.  If  the  fullering  be  too  far  in,  the  nail 
will  have  to  take  a  direction  outward  to  avoid  wounding  the 
sensitive  parts  of  the  foot,  and  in  clinching  it,  the  crust  of  the 
hoof  will  be  forced  in,  or  contracted.  This  way  of  driving  the 
nails  is  called  shouldering.  It  is  one  of  the  worst  evils  in  all 
bad  shoeing. 

Paring  the  Crust. — The  inside  of  the  crust  should  generally  not 
be  pared  down  at  all.  It  should  be  merely  leveled,  so  as  to' 
give  the  shoe  an  even  bearing.  If  it  is  pared  down,  the  shoe 
will  rest  on  the  seat  of  corns.  The  paring  down  may  be  carried 
round  the  toe,  and  outer  quarter,  and  heel,  as  low  as  necessary. 
After  the  shoe  is  prepared  for  being  fitted,  and  the  paring  of  the 
tread  carried  tq  sufficient  extent,  the  shoe  may  be  applied  to  it 
warm  enough  to-  mark  any  uneven  points  of  bearing,  which  may 
then  be  smoothed  off.  The  shoe  should  fit  so  clo?o  to  the  tread 
y,§  to  hold  water. 

A  colt  having  crooked  pasterns,  leaning  outward  when  first 
shod,  may  be  benefited  by  paring  the  inside,  and  putting  on  a 
shoe  thin  on  the  inner  side  and  thick  on  the  outside.  This 
subject  is  treated  in  another  place  in  this  work. 

Paring  the  Sole. — When  the  horse  is  in  the  state  of  nature,  or 
not  shod  at  all,  the  crust,  or  tread,  keeps  worn  down,  and  the 
scaly  horn  which  covers  the  horny  sole  keeps  worn  off,  leaving 


276  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

the  sole  of  its  proper  thickness  and  elastic,  or  springy.  But 
when  the  horse  is  shod,  the  sole  sometimes  becomes  covered 
with  a  thick  layer  of  scaly,  dead  horn.  This  fills  up  the  bot- 
tom of  the  foot,  keeping  the  sole  thick  and  dry,  and  injuring 
its  springy  character.  And  if  the  crust  is  pared  down  and  a 
new  shoe  put  on  without  paying  any  attention  to  this  dead  horn 
covering  the  sole,  the  new  shoe  will  press  on  it,  bruising  the 
sole,  and  produce  corns  and  other  injuries.  Hence,  before  put- 
ting on  the  shoe,  all  this  scaly  horn  should  be  pared  out  with 
the  blacksmith's  drawing-knife.  The  sole  should  be  pared 
until  it  will  become  quite  springy  when  pressed  on  by  the 
thumb.  Especial  attention  must  be  paid  to  paring  the  sole  at 
the  seat  of  corns,  which  is  the  angle,  or  corner,  between  the 
crust  and  bar.  In  horses  of  quick  action  the  elasticity  of  the 
sole  is  of  the  greatest  importance,  to  prevent  concussion. 

But  few  smiths  understand  the  necessity  of  paring  the  sole, 
and  for  this  reason  I  must  urge  it  upon  their  attention. 

Fitting  the  Shoe  hy  Burning. — This  should  never  be  done.  It 
dries  up  the  crust,  and  renders  it  harsh  and  brittle.  It  also 
presents  to  the  seating  a  layer  of  dead,  burnt  horn,  instead  of 
that  in  its  natural  state.  It  does  the  very  thing  which  every 
one  should  try  to  avoid. 

There  can  be  no  objection  to  touching  the  bearing  of  the 
crust  with  the  hot  shoe  to  discover  any  high  places  that  would 
prevent  the  shoe  from  fitting  closely.  But  this  must  not 
be  carried  to  the  extent  of  burning.  After  the  hot  shoe  has 
marked  the  prominent  places,  it  is  to  be  removed,  and  those 
places  pared  down. 

Eemoving  the  Old  Shoe. — Many  smiths  are  in  the  habit  of 
grasping  one  heel  of  the  old  shoe  with  a  heavy  pair  of  pinchers, 
and  then,  gathering  the  arms  with  both  hands,  by  a  series  of 
wrenches,  which  often  alarm  the  horse  for  the  safety  of  his  foot, 
and  very  justly,  too,  succeed  in  tearing  off  one  limb  of  the  shoe. 
The  process  is  then  repeated  in  the  other  limb,  and  the  shoe 
is  off.     But  in  many  instances  the  crust  is  wretchedly  torn, 


SHOEING.  277 

and  no  skill  can  fit  a  new  shoe  properly  and  neatly  to  the 
foot. 

A  sort  of  knife,  thick  on  the  back  and  thin  on  the  edge, 
should  be  used.  With  this,  the  clinches  are  to  be  raised  or 
cut  off,  and  then  the  point  of  the  knife  placed  on  the  point  of 
the  nail,  and  a  slight  tap  on  the  back  of  the  knife  will  start 
the  nail.  After  the  clinches  are  raised  and  the  nails  started, 
they  can  easily  be  drawn,  one  by  one.  No  danger,  no  con- 
siderable loss  of  time,  occurs  in  this  method  of  removing  the 
old  shoe. 

The  Bars  not  to  he  Cat  awcuj. — The  use  of  the  bars  is  un- 
doubtedly to  prevent  contraction,  or  to  keep  the  foot  properly 
expanded.  They  have  been  carefully  and  accurately  described 
when  speaking  of  the  anatomy  of  the  foot.  They  are  placed 
in  a  situation  which  is  somewhat  in  the  way  of  the  smith  in 
paring  the  sole,  and  he  often  cuts  them  away  to  the  very  level 
of  the  sole.  This  is  a  most  injurious  practice.  It  robs  the 
foot  of  its  most  powerful  means  of  resistance  against  con- 
traction. The  knife  should  not  at  all  be  used  on  the  bars, 
unless  they  should  be  torn  and  rough,  when  they  may  be 
trimmed  smooth,  and  no  more. 

The  side  of  the  bar  is  sometimes  pared  otf  to  give  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  wide  heel.  This  is  very  injurious,  for  it  weak- 
ens the  bars  and  disposes  to  contraction.  This  practice  is 
condemned  on  this  account  by  even  those  who  recommend 
the  cutting  away  of  the  projecting  portion  of  the  bars. 

The  Frog  not  to  he  Cut  down. — Blacksmiths,  generally,  seem 
to  have  an  unaccountable  itch  for  cutting  away  the  frog; 
and  why  this  is  so  would  seem  hard  to  explain.  It  is  not 
at  all  in  the  way  in  shoeing.  It  only  adds  to  the  work  to 
be  done  to  cut  it  away.  I  can  see  but  one  reason  for  it. 
The  frog  is  a  body  of  rather  soft,  or  spongy,  horn,  and  under 
a  sharp  knife,  whittles,  or  chips  ofP,  very  nicely.  It  is  a  sort 
of  Yankee  gratification,  like  whittling  a  pine  stick.  This  is 
the  best  apology  I  can   conceive   for  this  ruinous   practice. 


278  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

Let  the  smith  ask  himself  what  the  frog  is  there  for,  and 
if  he  can  not  see  any  evil  in  it,  let  him  not  cut  it  away,  for 
sm-ely  nature  intended  it  for  some  useful  purpose,  and  he 
should  not  ignorantly  destroy  it. 

But  it  has  two  useful  purposes.  It  serves  as  a  wedge  to  ex- 
pand the  hoof  and  let  the  sole  spring  freely,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  sustains  a  part  of  the  weight  of  the  horse.  It  is  also  a 
shield  for  the  sensitive  frog,  a  very  important  organ  which 
rests  on  it.  ^ 

The  cutting  away  of  the  frog  lessens  its  bulk,  causes  it  to 
become  dry  and  hard,  and  contract,  thus  permitting  the  heels 
to  wire  in.  Thrush  or  quitter  may  be  the  result  of  cutting 
down  the  frog.  The  practice  will  invariably  bring  about  the 
destruction  of  the  frog.  The  best  rule  that  can  be  pursued  is 
never  to  apply  the  knife  to  the  frog.  Scales  or  splinters  toward 
the  point  of  the  frog  might  be  cut  oif ;  but  I  fear  granting  even 
this  privilege,  for  some  might  go  even  further.  JNTature  will 
not  fail  to  remove  these  scales  soon. 

Cutting  the  Inside  of  tlie  Crust. — It  is  a  very  common  practice 
to  cut  down  the  inner  part  of  the  tread  and  rasp  off  the  side 
of  the  crust  to  prevent  interfering.  This  is  a  very  injurious 
error.  The  lowering  of  the  inner  heel  throws  the  fetlock-joint 
inward  toward  the  line  in  which  the  other  foot  moves,  and 
really  makes  the  difficulty  worse.  It  is  also  very  likely  to 
produce  corns  to  cut  down  the  heel  in  this  way. 

Rasping  off  the  side  of  the  crust  may  do  something  to  pre- 
vent interfering.  But  it  weakens  and  dries  up  the  quarter,  and 
this  evil  far  overbalances  any  good  it  may  do. 

The  only  way  to  successfully  prevent  interfering,  is  to  bring 
.e  outer  side  lower  than  the  inside.  This  may  be  done  by 
j^aring  the  outer  side  very  low,  or  by  putting  on  a  shoe  v/ith 
a  web,  thick  on  the  inside  and  thin  on  the  outside.  Nothing 
but  injury  can  result  from  one-sided  calkins,  which  are  some- 
times used.  On  soft  ground  they  sink  and  do  no  good,  and, 
indeed,  will  sink  in  most  soils  and  roads,  and,  therefore,  are  use- 


VICES   OF    THE    HOESE — RESTIVENESS.  279 

less,  except  on  hard  roads.  If  an  elevation  is  needed,  make 
the  heel  of  the  shoe  thicker,  thinning  off  toward  the  quarter. 
This  will  not  sink  in  hard  roads. 


VICES  OF  TEE  HOESE. 


HoESES,  like  men,  are  endowed  with  an  endless  variety  of 
tempers  or  dispositions,  and  these  differences  are  still  more  ex- 
tended by  the  breaking  and  management  of  the  horse.  There 
are  certain  dangerous  and  disagreeable  habits  to  which  some 
horses  are  given,  either  from  a  naturally  bad  disposition  or 
from  faulty  management,  which  it  is  important  to  understand. 
Such  habits  may  render  the  horse  totally  unfit  for  any  use,  may 
impair  his  usefulness  for  many  purposes,  or  may  only  require 
greater  care  in  his  management.  Any  such  vices  really  injure 
the  value  of  the  horse  to  a  greater  or  less  degree. 

RESTIVENESS. 

A  naturally  bad  or  vicious  temper,  and  which  is  generally 
aggravated  or  made  worse  by  faulty  and  cruel  management, 
whether  it  is  shov/n  in  biting,  kicking,  rearing,  plunging,  bolt- 
ing, striking,  or  in  any  other  habit  which  threatens  injury  to 
those  using  the  horse,  or  to  himself,  is  included  under  the 
name  of  restiveness.  It  is  very  difficult  to  break  a  horse  of 
restive  habits.  Some  horse-tamers  have  been  very  successful 
in  bringing  such  animals  to  gently  submit  to  the  dominion  of 
man.  But  the  least  error  in  the  management  of  such  a  horse 
will  generally  cause  him  to  relapse  into  his  former  vice.  In 
the  history  of  horsemanship  several  celebrated  tamers  have 
been  noticed,  and  almost  every  neighborhood  has  some  genius 
noted  for  his  ability  as  a  tamer.  A  fellow  by  the  name  of 
Jumper,  in  Yorkshire,  is  spoken  of  by  Youatt,  whose  system 
seems  to  have  been  to  use  the  utmost  violence  with  the  horse, 


280  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOKSE. 

and  perfect  fearlessness.  But  in  some  cases,  after  long  con- 
tending with  his  subject,  he  would  resort  to  quite  gentle  means. 
The  most  celebrated  tamer,  however,  was  the  Cork  Whisperer, 
so  called  because  it  was  supposed  his  charm  consisted  in  whisper- 
ing to  his  subject.  His  name  was  Sullivan.  He  would  go  into 
the  stable  with  his  subject,  and,  after  remaining  some  time, 
would  come  out  with  the  animal  perfectly  subdued.  It  is  most 
likely  his  art  consisted  in  perfect  fearlessness.  A  vicious  horse 
would  tremble  if  Sullivan  but  spoke  to  him.  His  power  was 
complete ;  he  never  failed  to  subdue  his  subject. 

The  most  distinguished  of  horse-tamers  of  the  present  time 
is  Rarey,  of  our  own  country.  He  has  exhibited  his  art  in  this 
country  and  Europe,  to  the  wonder  and  satisfaction  of  all  who 
have  witnessed  his  performance. 

BITING. 

Some  horses,  from  natural  viciousness  of  temper,  resort  to 
biting,  as  a  means  of  preventing  man  from  handling  them. 
But  the  habit  is  generally  induced  by  the  mischievousness  of 
boys  about  the  stable,  pinching  the  horse  to  see  him  nip  at 
them.  The  horse  acquires  a  love  for  the  fun,  and  presently 
nips  to  the  red,  and  finally  becomes  so  confirmed  in  the  habit 
that  it  is  dangerous  to  be  about  him.  A  severe  clapboarding 
may  deter  him  from  it,  but  cure  is  not  always  possible.  The 
only  safe  way  is  to  prevent  that  sort  of  play  with  the  horse 
that  gets  him  into  the  habit.  It  ruins  a  horse,  because  it 
renders  him  unsafe. 

VICIOUS  TO  CLEAN. 

Some  horses  wdll  hardly  submit  to  being  cleaned.  They 
resort  to  stamping,  biting,  and  kicking  to  avoid  it.  Some 
horses  may  be  made  to  stand  quiet  by  taking  a  clapboard 
and  slapping  their  sides  until  the  horse  is  subdued;  but  don't 
give  another  lick,  for  he  may  be  aroused  to  show  fight.  If 
this  or  gentle  treatment  does  not  answer,  have  a  ring  2)laced 


VICIOUS   TO   SHOE — BAD   TO   BE   MOUNTED.  281 

SO  as  to  draw  the  head  up  high.  He  will  then  be  obliged  to 
keep  reasonably  quiet;  he  can  not  do  much  with  his  feet  when 
his  head  is  drawn  up. 

VICIOUS  TO  SHOE. 

The  young  horse,  or  colt,  should  have  his  feet  often  taken 
up  and  handled,  so  that  he  may  become  accustomed  to  it. 
But  some  horses  may  resist  the  smith  in  this  operation,  from 
a  vicious  disposition,  and  may  require  great  means  of  restraint. 
It  is  proper  in  this  place  to  condemn  that  violent  treatment 
which  we  too  often  see  practiced  in  this  country,  of  kicking, 
striking,  and  cursing  a  horse  for  the  least  uneasiness  while  this 
operation  is  being  performed.  Good  shoers  never  resort  to 
such  treatment,  and  seldom  have  occasion  to  in  any  way  confine 
the  horse.  When  gentle  treatment  or,  at  most,  a  little  clap- 
boarding  fails  to  render  the  animal  submissive,  he  must  be 
confined  to  the  necessary  degree.  It  is  not  difficult  to  keep 
the  fore-leg  up.  It  is  raised  and  tied  to  the  arm  above  the 
knee.  A  twitch  may  be  necessary  while  putting  on  the  fore- 
shoe.  The  most  difiicult  part  of  the  operation  is  putting  on 
the  hind-shoes.  A  rope  may  be  tied  around  the  pastern,  and 
carried  across  the  rump,  and  then  around  in  front  of  the  breast, 
and  held  by  an  assistant  standing  on  the  side  to  which  the 
limb  to  be  raised  belongs.  If  the  horse  jerks  the  foot  out  of 
the  smith's  hands,  the  assistant  draws  the  rope  so  he  can  not 
get  the  foot  down.  The  horse  will  soon  get  tired  of  his  resist- 
ance, and  permit  the  work  to  be  done.  A  very  vicious  horse 
will  require  to  be  put  in  the  stocks,  as  it  is  not  right  to 
endanger  a  man's  life  with  any  horse. 

BAD  TO  BE  MOUNTED. 

This  may  result  from  unwillingness  of  the  horse  to  be  ridden, 
or  from  eagerness  to  be  off.  In  the  former  case  the  vice  may 
be  natural,  from  an  ill  temper,  or  the  fruit  of  ill  treatment  in 


282  ,     NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

breaking.  It  is  a  very  disagreeable  and  even  dangerous 
liabit.  It  is  difficult  to  correct.  Such  a  horse  is  only  safe  in 
the  hands  of  a  young,  stout  man.  He  is  unfit  for  the  saddle, 
whatever  his  gait.  When  the  vice  is  only  the  result  of  eager- 
ness to  go  ahead,  it  is  not  so  disagreeable;  but  it  is  not  free 
from  danger  to  the  rider.  An  eager-dispositioned  horse  is 
easily  let  run  into  this  habit.  An  active,  quick  horseman  may 
do  much  to  break,  a  horse  of  this  habit,  by  mounting  him  at 
the  first  intimation,,  and  then  holding  him  steady  for  a  short 
time.  Gentleness  and  firmness  are  required  to  manage  such 
a  horse. 

BALKING,  BACKING,  AND  GIBBING. 

These  habits  are  all  the  result  of  the  same  vicious  dispo- 
sition. Backing  explains  itself  quite  well.  The  horse  will 
back  instead  of  going  forward;  or  he  may  refuse  to  move 
for  some  time,  and  then,  instead  of  going  forward,  commence 
backing.  He  shows  the  most  sulky  temper.  A  balky  horse 
may  refuse  to  start,  and  after  a  while  start  off  and  work  well 
all  day;  at  other  times  he  may  balk  at  first,  and  then  go  well 
for  a  while,  and  stop  still,  and  remain  so  for  some  time,  and 
then  go  on  again.  In  fact,  there  is  no  dependence  to  be  put 
in  such  a  horse.  'No  one,  however,  can  fail  to  understand 
when  a  horse  is  falling  into  this  vice. 

Bad  management  in  breaking  is  the  most  frequent  cause  of 
balking.  No  weight  should  be  thrown  on  the  collar  until  the 
colt  has  become  accustomed  to  its  presence  on  the  shoulder, 
and  then  very  little,  pressure.  Nor  should  this  be  allowed 
at  starting.  The  colt  should  learn  to  tolerate  every  thing 
connected  with  moving  in  the  harness  before  being  required 
to  pull.  Allowing  the  shoulder  to  become  sore  and  tender 
may  get  the  horse  into  the  habit  of  balking,  or  requiring 
him  to  attempt  to  draw  too  heavy  a  load,  or  an  ordinary  load 
through  a  mud  road,  until  he  is  exhausted  and  unable  to  go 
further,  and  then  whipping  him  to  force  him  to  go.     Some 


SHYING.  283 

horses  will  not  pull  on  a  cold  collar.  Some  horses  and  some 
stocks  of  horses  are  peculiarly  disj^osed  to  become  balky. 

Care  in  breaking  is  the  only  safe  means  of  guarding  against 
this  evil.  The  best  conditioned  horse  may  easily  be  made  to 
balk,  by  putting  him  to  pulling  when  first  geared.  Let  him 
become  thoroughly  used  to  the  harness  before  being  required 
to  pull ;  and  then  let  but  little  weight  on  the  shoulders  at  a 
time,  and  gradually  increase  it. 

After  the  habit  is  acquired,  but  before  it  has  become  con- 
firmed, especially  if  the  horse  backs  at  starting,  it  may  be 
obviated  by  having  a  stone  behind  the  wdieel  of  the  vehicle, 
or  being  careful  to  start  down  hill.  This,  with  gentleness  and 
persuasion,  is  the  best  treatment. 

A  balky  horse  may  be  compelled  to  do  work  at  the  off  wheel 
in  a  four-horse  carriage.  The  prospects  of  curing  a  balky 
horse  are  very  uncertain. 

SHYING. 

There  is  no  more  disagreeable  habit  in  the  horse  than  this, 
when  it  is  once  confirmed.  Playfulness  often  manifests  itself 
in  this  way,  the  horse  affecting  to  be  very  much  frightened  at 
some  trifling  object.  The  horse  soon  gets  over  this  when  put 
down  to  his  work.  Genuine  cowardice  is  another  cause  of 
shying.  The  imagination  of  such  a  horse  is  very  active;  he 
sees  danger  in  almost  every  thing.  Much  may  be  done  by  firm, 
kind  treatment,  to  show  the  horse  that  his  fears  are  unfounded. 
In  no  case  will  giving  way  to  his  foolishness  do.  It  will  con- 
vince him  that  his  fears  were  correct.  He  should  be  perfectly 
familiarized  with  the  objects  of  his  fears.  By  this  means 
their  number  may  soon  be  much  decreased,  and  the  horse 
rendered  more  agreeable. 

But  the  worst  form  of  this  vice,  doubtless,  results  from 
defective  sight.  This  defect  can  not  be  remedied,  as  with 
man.  JS'or  will  it  do  to  make  use  of  violence  to  overcome  it. 
Blinds  may  be  used  on  such  a  horse  to  prevent  him  from 


284  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

seeing  the  objects  around,  which  his  defective  sight  renders 
frightful  to  him.  Blinds  may  be  used  at  the  sides,  and  also 
arched  over  in  front  of  his  eyes,  so  that  he  can  only  see  the 
road  for  a  short  distance  before  him. 

RUNNING  AWAY. 

This  f  ery  dangerous  vice  may  be  the  result  of  fright,  or  it 
may  be  the  means  the  horse  takes  of  getting  rid  of  his  rider 
or  the  carriage  he  is  hitched  to.  If  the  horse  is  disposed  to 
run  under  the  saddle,  a  good  rider  may  let  him  run,  and  put 
whip,  spur,  and  curb  to  him,  and  give  him  more  running  than 
he  bargained  for.  In  this  way  he  may  be  broke  of  the  habit. 
However,  a  strong  curb  and  a  sharp  bit  should  be  used,  and 
the  horse  closely  watched.  The  bit  and  bridoon  is  the  best 
form  of  bridle  for  such  a  horse.  * 

When  the  horse  is  disposed  to  run  in  harness,  some  of  the 
various  forms  of  stiff  bit  in  use  may  be  resorted  to.     The  best 
is  that  called  the  pelm-bit.     But  the  sooner  such  a  horse  is . 
sold  for  some  purpose  for  which  he  is  fit  the  better.     He  is 
too  dangerous  for  the  carriage  under  any  circumstances. 

SLIPPING  THE  HALTER  OR  THE  BRIDLE. 

This  vice  is  very  common  among  horses  in  this  country. 
Some  of  them  become  as  expert  at  it  as  the  thimble-rigger  in 
handling  "the  little  joker."  The  habit,  once  contracted,  is 
difficult  to  remedy. 

A  tolerably  broad  strap  may  be  made  to  buckle  around  the 
neck,  to  which  the  headstall  of  the  halter  or  bridle  may  be 
attached  by  buckles  and  straps.  The  collar  can  be  drawn  tight 
enough  around  the  neck  without  choking  the  horse. 

STUMBLING. 

Stumbling  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous  and  disagreeable 
vices  of  the  horse.  It  seldom  admits  of  remedy  to  any  extent, 
and  no  care  in  the  rider  or  driver  can  prevent  the  horse  from 


WEAVING — PAWING — ROLLING.  '    285 

stwciiiblihg.  It  may  be  caused  by  tenderness  of  the  feet,  grog- 
giness,  or  old  lameness,  or  habitual  carelessness.  But  the  more 
common  cause  is  heavy-headedness,  or  the  legs  being  too  much 
under  the  horse.  A  stumbler  is  unfit  for  the  saddle  or  carrias-e. 
His  place  is  in  a  team,  at  slow,  heavy  work. 

Some  good  may  be  done  by  keeping  the  tread  well  pared 
down,  and  the  toe  as  much  pared  oif  as  it  will  bear,  or  a 
shoe  put  on  with  the  toe  rounded  off  about  the  same  that  it 
becomes  after  two  or  three  weeks'  wear  on  such  a  horse.  It  is 
the  result  of  erect  shoulders. 

WEAVING. 

This  is  an  incessant  moving  of  the  head  fi'om  side  to  side, 
like  the  motion  of  the  weaver's  shuttle.  It  is  a  species  of  rest- 
iveness  resulting  from  an  uneasy  temper  and  dislike  to  confine- 
ment. It  may  be  remedied  by  tying  the  horse  short ;  but  such 
a  horse  is  hard  to  keep  in  condition. 

PAWING. 

Some  horses  of  a  restless  disposition  are  in  the  habit  of  paw- 
ing violently  and  incessantly  in  the  stall.  The  litter  and  floor 
of  the  stall  are  torn  up,  the  shoes  knocked  off,  the  hoofs  battered, 
the  foot  bruised,  and  the  legs  strained.     N^o  remedy. 

ROLLING. 

Some  horses  acquire  a  habit  of  rolling  not  only  when  at  grass 
or  in  the  pound,  but  in  the  stall.  In  the  latter  case  it  is 
attended  with  some  danger,  as  the  horse  may  become  tangled 
in  the  halter  rein  and  strangled,  or  injure  himself  against  the 
timbers  of  the  stall.  No  amount  of  injury  he  may  suffer  will 
break  him  of  the  habit. 

The  horse  should  be  tied  with  length  enough  of  halter  to 
lie  down,  but  not  enough  to  let  his  head  lie  flat  on  the  ground ; 
for,  in  order  to  roll,  the  horse  has  to  place  his  head  flat  on  the 
ground. 


286  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

QUIDDING. 

In  chewing,  the  horse  sometimes  drops  the  hay  from  his 
mouth,  only  partially  ground,  instead  of  swallowing  it.  This 
is  called  quidding,  because  the  act  somewhat  resembles  that  of 
the  cow  chewing  the  quid.  It  may  be  caused  by  irregular 
teeth.  If  so,  they  should  be  rasped  down.  (See  the  article, 
"Affections  of  the  Teeth.")  It  may  be  caused  by  sore  throat. 
Then  the  horse  will  swallow  his  water  with  a  peculiar  gulping 
sound,  and  show  other  symptoms  of  disease.  In  this  case  treat 
the  sore  throat,  (catarrh),  and  the  quidding  will  be  remedied. 

NOT  LYING  DOWN. 

Some  horses  seldom  or  never  lie  down  in  the  stall.  They 
may  keep  in  good  condition  for  a  long  time,  and  appear  to 
suffer  but  little.  But  generally  the  habit  is  attended  by  swell- 
ing of  the  legs,  and  the  horse  tires  easily,  l^o  coercion  will 
compel  him  to  lie  down. 

He  should  be  allowed  a  box  stall  or  a  stable  where  he  need 
not  be  tied,  and  then  a  comfortable  litter,  and  he  may  be 
induced  to  lie  down.  Occasionally  a  horse  will  not  lie  down 
except  he  is  tied  in  his  stall. 

CUTTING,  OR  INTERFERING. 

This  defect  consists  in  striking  of  the  inner  border  of  the 
hoof  against  the  opposite  pastern  as  the  foot  passes  forward. 
Either  fore-foot  or  hind-foot  may  strike  the  opposite  pastern, 
or  the  horse  may  interfere  with  both  feet  or  with  all  of  them, 
both  before  and  behind.  The  point  usually  struck  by  the 
border  of  the  hoof  or  shoe  is  at  the  side  of  the  tuft  of  hair 
which  covers  the  pastern-joint.  The  cut,  or  rather  bruise,  may 
be  very  slight  or  quite  severe,  causing  swelling  or  lameness. 
It  is  caused  by  a  defect  in  the  form  of  the  horse,  the  legs  being 
too  close  together,  or  the  feet  turned  inward.  There  is  no  ne- 
cessity for  operating  on  the  foot  which  strikes  the  o])posite  fet- 


OVEREEACH — CRIBBING.  287 

lock.  The  true  principle  is  to  so  pare  and  shoe  the  foot 
that  is  injured  as  to  throw  the  fotlock-joint  out  of  the  way 
of  the  opposite  foot  as  it  is  carried  forward.  Leave  the  tread 
on  the  inside  as  high  as  possible,  and  pare  down  the  out- 
side very  low.  Also  make  the  inner  side  of  the  shoe  thick 
and  the  outer  side  thin.  By  this  arrangement  the  fetlock  is 
thrown  outward,  out  of  danger,  when  the  foot  is  resting  on  the 
ground.  The  shoe  on  the  foot  that  strikes  may  be  beveled 
under  slightly  at  the  inner  border. 

OVERREACH. 

Overreach  is  a  wound  of  the  heel  of  the  fore-foot.  It  is  of 
a  similar  character  to  tread — is  caused  by  the  toe  of  the  hind- 
foot  striking  the  heel  of  the  forward  one.  Defective  or  bad 
form  will  predispose  a  horse  to  overreach.  Bad  shoeing  will 
also  be  liable  to  cause  the  hind-foot  to  catch  the  forward  one. 

The  same  care  and  objects  are  to  be  observed  in  making  the 
examination  of  the  wound  as  in  examining  tread.  It  may 
terminate  similarly. 

Some  horses  strike  the  sole  of  the  fore-foot  with  the  toe  of 
the  hind  one,  when  moving,  causing  a  continual  series  of  clicks. 
This  is  called  for (/in^.     It  is  closely  allied  to  overreach. 

Treatment. — If  the  horse  is  in  the  habit  of  overreaching,  or 
if  he  forges,  the  toe  should  be  well  pared  down,  and  the  point 
of  the  shoe  beveled  back,  or  under. 

When  a  wound  is  once  made  by  overreaching,  it  is  nothing 
else  than  a  w^ound  of  the  coronet,  and  is  to  be  treated  as  such. 
.  (See  treatment  of  "  Wounds  of  the  Coronet.") 

CRIBBING,  OR  CRIB-BITING. 

This  vice  is  also  known  by  the  names  of  stumii-sncJcing,  wind- 
sucking,  etc.  The  act  is  performed  by  the  horse  grasping  with 
his  teeth  the  edge  of  his  trough,  rack,  or  manger,  or  any  other 
convenient  object,  and,  by  curving  his  neck  in  a  peculiar  man- 


288  NAVIN    ox    THE    HORSE. 

ner,  uttering  a  sort  of  guttural  sound,  or  grunt.  That  the  air 
has  something  to  do  with  the  production  of  this  sound  is  cer- 
tain, but  just  exactly  in  what  way  is  not  so  well  understood. 
Some  contend  that  in  the  act  air  is  forced  into  the  stomach, 
while  others  think  it  is  performed  for  the  purpose  of  expelling 
air  from  the  stomach  which  already  existed  there.  It  has  also 
been  supposed  that  in  the  act  air  is  first  forced  into  the  stomach, 
and  then  expelled.  I  have  seen  a  man  swallow  tobacco-smoke 
and  then  force  it  out  of  the  stomach  by  belching,  some  seconds 
afterward.  This  operation  is  done  by  a  similar  action  to  that  of 
the  crib-biter.  ]N"ow,  from  the  motions  and  peculiar  exertions 
of  the  horse,  and  the  sounds  observed  in  the  act  of  crib-biting, 
I  have  no  doubt  of  a  portion  of  the  wind  being  taken  into  the 
stomach.  But  when  we  reflect  that  belching  is  not  even  possi- 
ble with  the  horse,  even  when  it  is  evident  the  stomach  is  much 
distended  with  gas,  as  in  cases  of  colic,  it  can  hardly  be  sup- 
posed that  the  crib-biter  can  have  acquired  so  readily  the  art 
of  expelling  wind  from  his  stomach. 

But  the  most  important  question  to  determine  is,  does  the 
habit,  or  vice,  of  cribbing  injure  the  health  of  the  horse  and 
constitute  unsoundness  ?  That  it  does  injure  the  health  I  think 
no  close  observer  can  doubt.  The  horse  addicted  to  it  almost 
invariably  falls  away  in  flesh,  and  is  much  more  liable  to  colic 
than  other  horses.  I  believe  none  doubt  that  they  are  generally 
subjects  of  some  form  of  indigestion.  'That  the  vice  is  most 
likely  the  cause  of  indigestion,  and  not  indigestion  the  cause  of 
the  vice,  I  think  tolerably  well  proved  from  the  fact  that  colts, 
when  first  taken  from  the  pasture,  are  often  confirmed  cribbers. 
And  again,  the  habit  is  as  often  contracted  by  horses  that  have 
been  to  all  appearance  in  the  best  of  health.  Such  a  thing  as 
a  crib-biter  with  a  good,  healthy  coat  can  hardly  be  found. 

Now,  let  us  sum  up  the  facts  referred  to.  In  the  first  place, 
we  have  presented  a  horse  with  an  admitted  vice,  so  disgust- 
ing and  so  annoying  that  he  can  not  be  used  without  all  those 
finer  pleasures  which  we  derive  from  the  use  of  the  horse 


CKIBBIXG,    OR   CEIB-BITIXG.  289 

being  destroyed.  He  is  the  victim  of  colic,  always  the  subject  of 
some  form  of  indigestion  or  other  obscure  ailment,  and  by  his 
hoggish  grunting  is  a  nuisance  to  the  farm-yard,  unless  mana- 
cled with  some  of  the  devices  for  keeping  him  fi'om  practicing 
his  vicious  habit.  If  all  this  does  not  constitute  a  case  of  un- 
soundness, I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  what  w^ould. 

Treatment. — A  strap  tied  around  the  neck  close  to  the  jaw 
will  prevent  the  practice  of  cribbing ;  but  it  is  also  liable  to 
cause  thick  wind,  which  is  a  worse  trouble.  Bar-soap  rubbed 
on  the  trough,  or  whatever  in  the  stall  the  horse  gets  hold  of 
with  his  teeth,  is  recommended  to  prevent  his  taking  hold  of 
it.  Or  take  three  bars  of  iron  curved  in  the  shape  of  a  sleigh- 
runner,  one  placed  at  each  side  of  the  face,  the  turn  being 
downward  and  looking  forward,  and  fastened  together  at  the 
to23  by  a  headstall,  and  also  a  curved  bar  running  behind  the 
chin,  and  to  which  the  third  curved  bar  is  fastened  in  the  middle 
and  which  passes  down,  and  the  turn  passes  under  the  chin  and 
mouth.  Thus  we  have  an  iron  sleigh,  with  three  runners,  hung 
to  the  horse's  head.  But  a  bar  passes  across  the  noses  of  these 
three  runners  to  hold  them  in  place;  also  a  strap  loosely  passes 
over  the  nose,  joining  the  two  sides.  By  this  arrangement  the 
horse  can  raise  his  head  to  eat  hay,  but  when  he  brings  his 
head  dowm  to  the  trough  he  finds  the  middle  runner  of  his 
sleigh  across  his  mouth.  The  strap  across  his  nose  keeps  him. 
from  throwing  the  machine  back  from  under  his  mouth.  The' 
apparatus  is  taken  oif  for  the  horse  to  eat  his  grain  or  feed; 
given  in  the  trough.  Make  his  rack  high. 
19 


DIVISION   II. 

HISTORY,  BREEDING,  RAISING,  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  THE  HORSE. 


HISTOEY  OF  THE  HOKSE. 


Lakge  volumes  have  been  written  on  the  history  of  the  horse. 
The  subject  is  coextensive  with  man's  civilization;  and,  as  we 
Slave  but  fragments  of  the  history  of  the  earlier  periods  of 
■civilization,  our  knowledge  of  the  horse  in  those  days  of  an- 
^iiquity  is  limited  and  unsatisfactory.  Just  what  part  of  the 
Eastern  continent  the  horse  first  inhabited  is  difficult  to  de- 
rtermine.  He  was,  doubtless,  a  wild  inhabitant  of  some  country, 
long  before  his  domestication  by  any  nation.  Sacred  history 
-furnishes  us  the  earliest  record  of  his  being  reduced  to  the 
•dominion  of  man.  Many  weaker  animals  were  domesticated 
.and  used  as  beasts  of  burden  before  the  horse.  The  ox,  the 
sheep,  the  goat,  the  ass,  and  the  camel  were  all  extensively  used 
•before  the  horse. 

It  appears,  both  from  sacred  and  profane  history,  that  the 
first  use  to  which  the  horse  was  put  was  drawing  chariots,  and 
these  were  principally  used  for  the  purposes  of  Avar.  The  horse 
was  certainly  used  for  drawing  wheeled  carriages  for  some  time 
before  he  was  ridden.  That  Egypt  was  the  first  country  in  which 
the  horse  was  domesticated  is  quite  certain.  Wagons,  which 
were  probably  drawn  by  horses,  are  spoken  of  in  the  fifty-fifth 
•chapter  of  Genesis.  They  were  sent  by  Joseph  into  Canaan 
when  he  sent  for  his  fixthcr's  household.  This  was  about  1706 
years  before  the  Christian  era.  It  is  not  long  after  this  until 
•chariots  are  spoken  of,  and  horsemen.     These  war  chariots  are 

(290) 


HISTORY  OF   THE   HORSE.  291 

known  to  have  been  drawn  by  horses,  and  the  horsemen  were 
armed,  and  often  came  doAvn  from  their  chariots  and  fought  on 
foot.  Profane  history  informs  us  that  Scsostris,  the  Pharaoh 
whom  it  is  probable  Joseph  served,  had  twenty-seven  thousand 
war  chariots.  That  chariots  and  horsemen  were  common  in 
Egypt  at  the  time  of  Jacob's  death  we  infer  from  the  state- 
ment that  when  Joseph  took  his  father's  remains  into  Canaan, 
"there  went  up  with  him  both  chariots  and  horsemen."  This 
was  about  1689  years  before  the  birth  of  Christ.  When  the 
chikh-en  of  Israel  fled  from  Egypt  we  are  informed  that  Pha- 
raoh pursued  them  with  "  six  hundred  chosen  chariots,  and  all 
the  chariots  of  Egypt."  This  was  about  1491  years  before  the 
birth  of  Christ.  From  Egypt  the  domesticated  horse  was 
taken  to  Canaan  and  other  neighboring  countries.  After  their 
journeying  in  the  wilderness,  when  the  Israelites  reached 
Canaan,  they  were  met  by  the  Canaanites  "  with  horses  and 
chariots  very  many." 

Such  are  the  earliest  records  we  have  of  the  domestication 
of  the  horse.  We  are  led  to  conclude  that  his  usefulness  was, 
probably,  first  discovered  under  the  administration  of  Joseph, 
in  Egypt.  When  Joseph  undertook  to  store  away  the  immense 
quantity  of  provisions  required  for  the  approaching  famine,  we 
may  fairly  conclude,  the  limited  and  slow  means  of  transpor- 
tation he  possessed  were  entirely  inadequate  to  his  necessities, 
and  certainly  so  wise  a  ruler  would  be  led  to  seek  other 
facilities.  Nothing  could  be  more  natural  than  the  attempt  to 
render  the  horse  serviceable  in  such  an  emergency.  His  first 
use,  we  have  seen,  was  probably  to  draw  wagons.  And  it  is  a 
remarkable  iact  that  such  is  yet  his  most  valuable  purpose. 
If  our  conclusions  are  correct,  the  world  owes  to  that  pure  and 
holy  ruler  the  credit  of  subduing  to  the  dominion  of  man  the 
most  valuable  of  the  animal  creation.  If  he  is  a  benefactor  to 
man  who  teaches  how  to  make  two  blades  of  grass  grow  where 
only  one  grew  before,  what  should  be  the  position  assigned  to 
him  who  taught  man  the  use  of  the  horse,  on  whose  valuable 


292  NAYIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

qualities  depend  the  happiness  and  subsistence  of  millions? 
In  this  vie^y  Joseph  becomes  not  only  the  temporal  benefactor 
of  his  own  family  and  nation  by  having  been  sold  into  Egypt, 
but  of  the  human  family  generally.  Surely  "he  was  sent  to 
prepare  the  way  of  life." 

The  Greeks  affirm,  in  their  Mythology,  that  Neptune  struck 
the  earth  with  his  trident,  and  the  horse  appeared.  But  it  is 
certain  that  those  parts  of  Greece  most  celebrated  for  their 
horsemen  were  originally  colonies  from  Egypt.  The  horse 
was  evidently  introduced  into  Greece  from  Egypt.  The 
Olympic  games,  including  chariot  and  horse-races,  were  insti- 
tuted in  Greece  about  1450  years  before  the  birth  of  Christ. 

T^otwithstanding  the  superiority  of  the  Arabian  horses,  their 
introduction  into  that  country  is  of  comparatively  recent  date. 
Ill  the  seventh  century,  when  Mohammed  fought  the  Korcish 
near  Mecca,  it  is  stated  that  he  had  but  two  horses  in  his 
whole  army,  and  after  the  slaughter,  large  numbers  of  other 
animals  are  stated  to  have  been  carried  off,  but  no  mention  is 
made  of  horses.  The  Arabs  had  few  horses  as  late  as  the 
seventh  century,  and  they  were  not  noted  for  their  excellence. 
Two  hundred  horses  were  presented  a  powerful  Arabian  prince 
by  the  Roman  Emperor,  in  the  seventh  century.  These  Avere 
Cappadocian  horses.  About  the  same  time  others  were  intro- 
duced into  Arabia.  These  horses  were  preserved  with  the 
greatest  care,  and  from  such  importations  is  said  to  have 
sprung  the  justly  celebrated  Arabian  stock. 

This  view  of  the  origin  of  the  Arabian  horse  does  not  agree 
with  the  observations  of  Layard.  Among  the  remains  of  the 
cities  of  the  desert,  particularly  Nineveh  and  Babylon,  were 
found  sculptured  images  of  the  horse,  which  are  almost  perfect 
representations  of  the  Arabian  of  the  present  day.  They  are 
to  be  seen  in  the  British  Museum.  Layard  is  convinced  of 
the  very  great  antiquity  of  many  of  the  Arabian  horses, 
whether  the  stories  of  their  owners  be  true  or  not. 

Not  only  Arabia  and  Greece,  but  even  Persia  derived  her 


THE    BAEB — THE    DOXGOLA    HORSE.  293 

horses  from  Egypt.  But  it  is  very  probable  that  Egypt  herself 
derived  her  horses  from  the  interior  or  north  of  Africa.  It  is 
proper  to  state  that  no  celebrated  stock  of  horses  of  the  present 
day  are  traced  to  Egypt.  In  noticing  the  different  stocks  of 
horses  we  shall  begin  with  Africa. 

THE  BARB. 

This  breed  is  found  in  the  Barbary  States,  particularly  in 
Morocco  and  Fez,  and  the  interior  of  Tripoli.  The  Barb  is 
remarkable  for  his  fine  and  graceful  action.  He  is  seldom 
over  fourteen  hands  high ;  his  shoulders  are  flat,  chest  round, 
joints  long,  and  head  particularly  beautiful.  His  form  is 
superior  to  that  of  the  Arabian,  but  he  is  not  equal  to  him  in 
spirit  and  speed.  The  excellence  of  the  Spanish  horses  is 
owing  to  this  blood.  When  Spain  wa,s  overrun  by  the  Moors 
they  left  the  country  with  a  greatly  improved  stock  of  horses, 
from  the  cross  between  the  Spanish  horse  and  the  Barb. 
Some  of  the  most  celebrated  English  race-horses,  trace  their 
oridn  to  the  Barb,  cither  through  sire  or  dam.  The  Godol- 
pliin  Arahian  was  a  Barb.  The  WeUesleij  Arabian  was  prob- 
ably a  cross  between  the  Barb  and  the  Arabian. 

In  the  interior  of  Africa,  in  the  kingdom  of  Bournou,  is 
found  a  breed  said  to  be  superior  to' either  the  Barb  or  Arabian, 
combining  the  perfections  of  both.  Other  horses  of  Africa 
are  of  little  account.  They  are  found  in  the  South  and  West, 
among  the  barbarous  tribes. 

THE  DONGOLA  HORSE. 

This  stock  is  found  in  the  kingdom  of  Dongola,  and  in  the 
districts  lying  between  Egypt  and  Abyssinia.  The  Dongola 
horse  is  full  sixteen  hands  high,  short  in  body,  the  neck  long 
and  slender,  crest  fine,  withers  sharp  and  high,  but  the  breast 
is  narrow,  the  quarters  and  flanks  flat,  and  the  back  carped. 


294  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

They  are  horses  of  speed  and  durability,  and  much  prized  as 
war-horses.  Some  of  them  have  been  taken  to  Europe,  but 
have  not  been  very  favorably  received.  They  are  highly 
spoken  of,  by  some,  for  their  beauty,  action,  and  docility. 

THE  ARABIAN. 

Arabia  began  to  become  famous  for  her  horses  about  the 
thirteenth  century,  and  she  has  held  her  supremacy  ever  since. 
So  carefully  have  they  preserved  their  stock  from  coarse  inter- 
mixture, and  so  perfectly  have  the  true  principles  of  breeding 
been  followed,  that  their  stock  have  attained  a  degree  of  per- 
fection uncqualed  in  any  other  country. 

There  is  said  to  be  three  different  stocks  of  horses  in  Arabia. 
The  inferior  breed,  which  are  not  prized,  and  are  found  wild 
in  some  parts,  they  call  the  Attechi.  The  next  are  the  KadiscM 
breed,  of  an  unknown  race,  and  corresponding  to  horses  of 
half-breed.  These  are  sometimes  put  off  on  dealers  for  the 
genuine  roval  breed.  The  third  stock  are  the  genuine,  thor- 
ough-bred  descendants  from  the  original  stock  of  Cappadocian 
and  other  superior  horses  imported  into  Arabia.  They  are 
called  the  Kochlani.  Layard  found  the  best  of  these  among 
the  Shammar  and  Aneyza  tribes.  The  Arabs  assert  that  the 
genealogy  of  the  true  Kochlani  is  known  for  two  thousand 
years,  and  that  they  trace  back  to  the  stud  of  Solomon.  This 
may  be  believed  by  the  visionary  Arab,  but  is  not  true  for 
that  reason.  Many  of  them  have  written  pedigrees  for  over 
four  hundred  years.  The  pedigree  is  always  kept  on  the  side 
of  the  dam,  and  with  a  care  excelling  that  bestowed  on  the 
'"'^nealogy  of  the  most  distinguished  family.     If  our  breeders 

ould  learn  from  the  Arabs  to  pay  more  attention  to  their 
brood-mares,  and  not  less  to  the  stallion,  they  would  soon  find 
a  substantial  improvement  in  their  horses. 

It  is  extremely  difficult  to  induce  an  Arab  to  part  with  liis 
mare,  if  she  be  of  the  true  Kochlani  breed.     He  loves  her  as 


*  THE   PERSIAN   HORSE.  295 

he  does  his  own  children.  She  seems  to  be  an  inseparable 
part  of  his  being.  A  stallion  may  %e  obtained,  but  the  price 
that  has  to  be  paid  is  almost  fabulous. 

The  Arabian  horse  is  seldom  over  fourteen  and  a  half  hands 
high;  his  head  is  inimitably  beautiful — the  forehead  broad 
and  square,  the  muzzle  short  and  fine,  the  face  bony  and  the 
veins  beautifully  coursed,  the  nostrils  wide,  the  ears  small 
and  well  set,  the  eyes  large,  prominent,  and  brilliant.  The 
neck  is  fine,  and  rises  beautifully  from  the  shoulders;  the 
withers  are  high,  and  the  shoulder  is  perfect  in  its  form  and 
position,  and  particularly  in  its  inclination  backward.  His 
body  is  light  and  narrow  before,  but  the  chest  swells  out  be- 
hind the  arms  so  as  to  afford  sufficient  capacity  for  the  lungs. 
His  quarters  are  strong,  muscular,  and  well  set.  His  legs 
are  small,  flat,  and  sinewy,  and  the  pasterns  oblique  in  their 
position.  The  muscles  of  the  arm  and  ham,  which  are  full 
and  powerful,  have  every  advantage  in  the  flat,  bony,  and 
sinewy  leg.  In  spirit,  the  Arabian  is  equal  to  his  great 
physical  perfection.  He  would  die  rather  than  give  up;  and 
yet,  with  his  native  master  of  the  desert,  he  is  the  most  do- 
cile and  kind  animal  in  the  world.  The  Arab  sleeps  with  his 
mare,  and  makes  his  pillow  of  her  neck.  His  children  play 
with  her  as  with  a  family  dog.  His  sagacity  is  equal  to  his  other 
noble  qualities.  If  his  master,  overcome  by  the  heat  of  the 
desert,  lies  down  to  sleep,  he  keeps  watch  over  him,  and  arouses 
him  on  the  approach  of  man  or  beast.  He  lives  on  scanty 
food  and  performs  extraordinary  journeys.  Layard  thinks 
few  genuine  Kochlani  horses  have  been  imported  either  into 
Europe  or  America.  The  stock  of  tall,  thin,  long-headed, 
spotted,  vicious  horses,  called  Arabians,  are  the  most  miserable 
of  all  our  stock.     They  have  no  characteristic  of  the  Arabian. 

THE  PERSIAN  HORSE. 

He  has  been  celebrated  for  many  hundred  years,  much  longer 
than  the  Arabian.     His  size  is  near  the  same,  perhaps  a  little 


296  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

larger.     He  is  equal  in  speed  and  beauty,  but  inferior  in  en- 
durance. 

THE  TURKOMAN  HORSE. 

In  the  south  of  Tartary  are  a  breed  of  horses  celebrated  for 
their  purity  and  endurance.  The  head  is  large,  the  legs  long, 
and  not  very  well  proportioned.  They  stand  from  fifteen  to 
sixteen  hands  high.  One  of  them  has  been  known  to  travel 
nine  hundred  miles  in  eleven  successive  days. 

THE  TURKISH  HORSE. 

These  are  said  to  be  descendants  of  the  Arabian,  crossed 
with  the  Persian.  They  possess  many  of  the  good  qualities  of 
their  ancestry.  The  English  thorough-bred  has  been  improved 
by  the  Turkish.  Some  of  the  best  English  horses  are  descend- 
ants of  the  Turks. 

OTHER  ASIATIC  AND  EUROPEAN  HORSES. 

There  are  other  breeds  or  stocks  belonging  to  the  Eastern 
continent  which  deserve  mere  mention.  The  East  India  horse, 
the  Turko,  from  the  Turkoman  and  Persian,  is  beautiful,  do- 
cile, grand  and  stately  in  his  carriage.  There  are  other  cold- 
blooded stocks  found  in  India.  The  Chinese  horse  is  small, 
weak,  ill  formed  and  spiritless,  like  his  master.  The  Tartar 
and  CalmucJc  horses  are  small  and  not  at  all  well  made.  They 
are  not  far  in  advance  of  the  wild  horses  of  the  country.  They 
are  capable  of  considerable  endurance,  and  often  perform  great 
journeys  on  very  scant  fare.  The  horses  of  the  German  States 
are  mostly  large  and  heavy,  and  better  suited  for  heavy 
draught  than  for  action.  The  Hungarian  horse  gives  some 
proof  of  Eastern  blood,  being  lighter  and  possessing  better  ac- 
tion. The  spirit  of  improvement  is  bettering  the  German 
horses  generally,  Ilolstein  furnishes  a  large  portion  of  the 
French  cavalry  horses. 

The  horses  of  Sweden,  Finland,  and  Norway  are   small,  well 


THE   THOEOUGH-BEED   HOESE.  297 

formed,  and  of  good  spirit  and  action.  They  are  not  generally 
over  twelve  hands  high.  They  are  found  in  a  semi-wild  state 
in  the  forests,  and  taken  up  when  wanted  for  use.  The  Ice- 
land horse — by  some  said  to  be  of  Swedish  origin,  by  others  of 
Scotch — is  small  and  active,  and  relies  upon  his  own  resources 
for  sustenance.  They  are  caught  and  shod  when  wanted  by 
the  peasants.  The  Flemish  and  Batch  horses  are  strong,  large 
and  well  formed.  They  are  superior  for  heavy  draught.  They 
have  been  made  to  improve  the  English  cart-horse.  Frame 
produces  several  breeds  of  horses.  They  are  adapted  to  the 
saddle,  the  light  carriage,  and  for  cavalry.  The  Norman  is  the 
most  prized.  The  Spanish  horse,  early  celebrated  for  his  many 
elegant  qualities,  was  still  more  highly  improved  by  the  ad- 
mixture of  Barbary  blood,  resulting  from  the  conquest  of  the 
country  by  the  Moors.  The  Sjmnish  horse  is  decidedly  fine, 
and  shows  indisputably  his  nobility  of  ancestry.  The  Italian 
horses  once  possessed  some  celebrity,  but  have  no  superior  merit 
at  the  present  "day.  Some  of  the  Neajpolitan  horses  are  large 
and  imposing  in  appearance,  and  suited  for  the  carriage. 
Italy  has  degenerated,  and  so  have  her  horses,  but  it  is  hoped 
the  sun  of  her  glory  may  yet  return  again. 

THE  ENGLISH  HORSE. 

In  Grreat  Britain  there  are  a  great  variety  of  horses  to  be 
found.  But  there  are  certain  breeds  which  it  is  necessary 
to  describe,  in  order  to  the  more  full  understanding  of  our 
own  stock  of  horses,  which  are,  to  a  very  great  extent,  de- 
rived from  the  English. 

THE  THOROUGH:BRED  HORSE. 

I  shall  not  trouble  the  reader  with  the  lengthy  history  of 
the  various  stages  of  improvement  through  which  the  Eng- 
lish thorough-bred,  or  race-horse,  has  passed.  In  no  country 
has  so  much  attention  been  paid  to  developing  the  running 
qualities  of  the  horse,  and   it  is    quite  certain  in  none  has 


298  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

sucli  perfection  been  attained.  The  race-liorse  of  the  present 
lay  is  said  to  be  of  purely  Eastern  origin.  He  is  descended 
'rom  imported  horses — from  Arabians,  Barbs,  and  Turks. 
A.mong  the  most  celebrated  imported  horses  may  be  men- 
tioned an  Arabian,  imported  in  the  reign  of  Henry  I,  1121, 
vhich  was  the  first  importation  on  record  of  Eastern  stock. 
Che  next  well  authenticated  importation  took  place  in  the 
•eign  of  James  I.  An  Arabian  was  first  tried,  but  con- 
lemned  ;  then  the  White  Turk,  and  shortly  afterward  ap- 
Deared  the  Helmsley  Turk,  and  then  Fairfax's  Morocco  Barb. 
it  was  not  until  this  period  that  the  true  value  of  the  East- 
ern blood  began  to  be  appreciated. 

At  the  Restoration  a  new  impulse  was  given  to  racing, 
md  Charles  II  sent  to  the  Levant  and  purchased  brood- 
mares and  stallions.  These  were  principally  Barbs  and 
Turks.  Private  enterprise  was  not  idle,  of  course,  and  other 
importations  were  at  the  same  time  made.  In  the  latter 
part  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  Mr.  Darley  imported  the 
Darley  Arabian,  from  which  the  English  stock  was  still  fur- 
ther improved.  From  him  descended  Flying  Childers,  Bart- 
lett's  Childers,  Almanzor,  and  others  of  celebrity.  The  de- 
scendants of  the  Childers  were  very  numerous.  Among  the 
most  noted  were  the  younger  Childers,  Blaze,  Snap,  Samson, 
and  Eclipse.  There  were  a  host  of  others,  however,  of  much 
merit.  Eclipse  was  the  fastest  horse  of  his  day.  He  never 
lost  a  race,  and  never  paid  forfeit.  He  was  a  thick-winded 
horse — a  roarer.  He  left  a  numerous  progeny,  of  which  three 
hundred  and  thirty-four  proved  to  be  winners.  He  died  in 
1789,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years. 

After  the  Arabian  stock  had  been  raised  to  repute  by  the 
Darley  and  his  descendants,  the  Godolphin  Arabian,  which 
was  really  a  Barb  of  great  beauty  and  action,  was  picked  up 
in  France  and  brought  to  England.  Much  of  the  finest  racing 
blood  of  Great  Britain  is  descended  from  him. 

The  English  thorough-bred  is  the  Eastern  horse,  brought  to 


THE   THOROUGH-BRED   HORSE.        *  299 

the  highest  degree  of  perfection  by  the  influences  of  a  pre- 
eminently favorable  climate,  the  most  careful  breeding,  and 
by  every  attention  the  art  of  horsemanship  can  devise.  His 
form  has  been  so  much  changed  as  scarcely  to  be  recognized, 
and  his  fleetness  has  certainly  been  greatly  increased.  It  is 
not  merely  for  his  performances  on  the  turf  that  the  thorough- 
bred horse  is  interesting  to  us.  It  is  to  him  we  look  for  the 
improvement  of  our  horses  for  nearly  every  purpose.  A  de- 
scription of  him  may  not,  therefore,  be  uninteresting. 

Of  all  breeds,  perhaps,  the  racer,  or  thorough-bred  horse,  is 
the  most  useless  for  the  general  purposes  of  the  farmer.  !N'ot 
one  out  of  fifty  would  be  worth  raising  for  such  service.  He 
is  not  fit  for  the  cart,  the  plow,  nor  the  carriage.  For  the  two 
former  purposes  he  is  neither  able  nor  willing.  For  the  latter 
he  is  willing,  but  not  able.  If  the  race-horse  is  put  to  the  cart 
or  plow  with  a  heavy  horse,  he  is  too  fast  for  the  heavy  one, 
and  soon  becomes  heated.  And  the  more  the  racer  is  heated, 
the  more  passionate  he  becomes ;  and  if  he  can-  not  get  to  go 
ahead,  he  will  become  sullen  and  will  not  pull  at  all,  and  he 
can  never  again  be  made  to  pull.  He  ^vill,  with  very  few  ex- 
ceptions, suffer  death  first.  Light,  quick,  single  draught  is  all 
that  he  is  at  all  fit  for.  As  to  hunting,  he  is  entirely  useless. 
He  can  not  jump  high.  Ev^en  if  he  could  leap,  he  is  too  light  to 
carry  the  weight  of  a  man  in  the  descent  over  a  wall  or  fence 
five  or  five  and  a  half  feet  high. 

The  thorough-bred  race-horse  is  long  in  the  body,  has  fine 
ears,  prominent  eyes,  and  is  remarkably  wide  between  the  jaws, 
wide  nostrils,  and  small,  thin  lips.  His  neck  is  long  and  fine, 
his  mane  very  thin,  and  lies  close  to  the  neck.  When  standing, 
his  neck,  on  the  top,  is  almost  straight,  his  withers  remarkably 
high  and  thin,  his  back  low  at  the  withers  and  straight  to  the 
haunches ;  he  is  high  and  close  coupled,  and  very  long,  meas- 
uring from  the  haunch  to  the  turn  of  the  rump,  and  long  and 
thin  from  there  to  the  tip  of  the  hough.  He  stands  with  his  legs 
rather  under  the  body  than  erect;  this  gives  him  great  power 


300  ■  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

of  Springing  to  force  himself  forward.  His  tail,  like  his  mane, 
is  slight,  and  thinly  haired.  His  buttocks  seldom  touch  each 
other;  his  legs,  below  the  knee  and  hough,  very  small,  the  back 
cords  almost  as  visible  as  if  the  skin  were  taken  off;  the  hair 
on  the  legs  is  very  fine,  and  no  fetlock  tuft ;  his  hoof  is  small 
and  cupped.  The  only  mark  of  superior  strength  in  the 
thorough-bred  racer,  or  turf-horse,  is  his  chest,  which  is  wide 
and  deep.  His  ribs  are  very  much  curved,  making  his  body 
round.  He  is  very  light  in  the  flanks,  and  his  belly  remark- 
ably so. 

^       THE  HUNTER. 

The  hunter  of  former  times  was  a  horse  of  large  size,  and 
capable  of  making  a  great  leap.  He  was  not  required  to  have 
much  blood.  The  hunter  of  the  present  day  is,  perhaps,  three- 
quarter-bred,  is  much  lighter  and  more  fleet.  His  qualities 
and  action  are  of  but  little  value  to  Americans,  who  seldom 
indulge  in  the  sports  of  the  chase.  He  is  not  a  distinct  breed, 
and  has  not  been  perpetuated  in  this  country,  though  we 
have  many  horses  that  would  do  well  for  the  chase. 

THE  HACKNEY. 

The  hackney,  like  the  hunter,  is  not  a  distinct  breed,  but  is 
a  horse  peculiarly  adapted,  in  his  size,  carriage,  and  paces,  to 
the  saddle.  He  is  produced  by  crosses  of  the  thorough-bred 
on  other  stocks.  A  description  of  what  the  English  horseman 
esteems  a  good  hackney  may  not  be  uninteresting.  The  hack- 
ney should  stand  about  fifteen  hands  and  an  inch ;  he  should 
be  short  and  strongly  couj:)led  in  the  back;  he  should  be  strong 
and  well  muscled,  both  in  the  fore  and  hind-parts;  his  chest 
should  be  wide  and  deep,  giving  plenty  of  room  for  the  lungs ; 
he  should  have  a  light  head,  and  neck  carried  well  up;  his 
mane  and  tail  should  be  heavy ;  his  limbs  clean  and  bony,  with 
pasterns  somewhat  oblique;  his  movements  should  be  quick 
and  elastic,  and  his  disposition  kind  and  tractable. 


HEAVY   DRAUGHT-HORSES.  301 

THE  FAIlMEll'S  HORSE. 

This  is  the  general  purpose  horse,  or  horse  of  all  work.  He 
should  be  comfortable  under  the  saddle,  not  clumsy  in  light 
harness,  and  should  draw  the  plow  and  farm-w^agon  with  unex- 
ceptionable success.  A  good,  kind  temper,  with  perfect  docility, 
is  the  first  requisite.  His  size  should  be  about  fifteen  and  a 
half  or  sixteen  hands.  He  should  be  stout  and  compact,  but 
not  gross  and  clumsy.  His  weight,  when  in  good  order  for 
w^ork,  should  be  from  twelve  to  fourteen  hundred  pounds.  His 
limbs  should  be  sinewy  and  his  feet  not  too  small,  but  by  no 
means  large  and  flat. 

HEAVY  DRAUGHT-HORSES. 

There  are  several  breeds  of  horses  in  Great  Britain  adapted 
to  heavy  draught;  but  they  are  not  now  so  distinct  as  for- 
merly. They  have  all  been  much  improved  by  crossing  with 
the  Flanders  breed ;  and,  by  this  means,  breeds  before  much 
esteemed  are  hardly  to  be  found,  only  as  crossed  with  others. 

The  Cleveland  Baij  was  principally  found  in  Yorkshire,  Dur- 
ham, Lincolnshire,  and  Northumberland.  He  is  a  horse  of 
considerable  size,  strongly  made,  and  capable  of  carrying  a 
great  load  at  a  rapid  speed.  The  best  carriage-horses  are 
produced  by  breeding  the  Cleveland  mare  to  the  half  or  thor- 
ough-bred, of  good  hight  and  weight.  Valuable  hunters  and 
hackneys  are  produced  by  the  same  cross  with  a  lighter 
horse.  Such  produce  have  the  lofty  action  and  arched  crest 
which  are  so  much  admired. 

The  Suffolk,  like  the  Cleveland,  is  nearly  extinct.  The 
Suflblk  stood  from  fifteen  to  sixteen  hands  high ;  color  sorrel ; 
head  large ;  shoulders  low,  and  thick  on  top ;  chest  round  and 
deep;  back  long;  croup  high;  quarters  large  and  strong; 
flanks  full;  legs  round,  and  pasterns  short.  He  could  throw 
a  tremendous  weight  into  the  collar,  and  activity  enough  to  do 
it  successfully,  and  sufficient  endurance  to  stand  a  full  day's 


302  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

labor.  No  horse  ever  came  down  to  his  work  with  more  de- 
termination. He  would  pull  to  the  death.  The  Suffolk  Punch, 
in  much  repute,  is  the  produce  of  the  Norman  stallion  on  the 
Suffolk  cart-mare.  The  Suffolk  of  the  present  day  is  a  taller 
and  finer  horse,  and  is  a  cross  with  the  Yorkshire  half  or 
three-fourths-bred.  He  possesses  the  nimbleness  of  action  of 
the  old  Suffolk,  and  much  of  his  spirit  at  a  set-to  pull. 

The  Clydesdale  horse  is  larger  than  the  Suffolk;  has  a  better 
head,  a  longer  neck,  a  lighter  carcass,  and  deeper  legs.  He  is 
strong,  hardy,  and  pulls  true,  and  is  very  patient.  He  takes 
his  name  from  the  district  in  which  he  is  principally  raised, 
being  on  the  Clyde,  in  Scotland.  He  was  produced  by  breed- 
ing the  best  Lanark  mares  to  stallions  of  the  Flanders  breed. 

The  Heavy  Black  Horse. — This  breed  is  chiefly  raised  in  the 
midland  counties,  from  Lincolnshire  to  Staffordshire.  After 
coming  to  perfection,  they  are  chiefly  used  in  the  city  of  Lon- 
don, to  drive  in  business  wagons.  They  are  large,  well  built, 
and  make  a  splendid  appearance. 

AMERICAN  BREEDS  OF  HORSES. 

Both  North  and  South  America  abound  in  immense  herds 
of  wild  horses.  They  are  most  numerous  in  the  plains  of 
South  America,  Mexico,  Texas,  and  the  Western  territories. 
They  are  the  descendants  of  Spanish  horses,  and  it  is  stated 
that  these  immense  herds  sprung  from  one  stallion  and  two 
mares,  which  escaped  from  the  expedition  of  Hernando  de 
Soto. 

They  retain  very  perfectly  the  size,  shape,  and  spirit  of  the 
Spanish  horse.  They  have  very  pretty  heads  and  fine,  clean 
limbs.  They  are  not  rapid  in  action,  but  capable  of  great 
endurance.  They  are  often  ridden  eighty  miles  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  miles  per  hour,  without  the  bit  being  removed.  They 
know  no  gait  between  the  walk  and  the  lope.  JMany  of  them, 
captured  in  Texas  and  Mexico,  have  been  brought  into  the 
North-western  States  within  the  last  few  years.     They  are 


THE   MOKGAN    HORSE.  303 

called  Mustangs.  Some  of  them  do  well  for  the  saddle;  but 
their  wild  nature  frequently  returns  when  they  fall  into  the 
hands  of  inexpert  horsemen,  and  they  become  treacherous  and 
intractable. 

THE  CANADIAN  HORSE. 

The  Canadian  horse  is  supposed  to  be  of  Norman-French 
origin.  His  hight  is  about  fourteen  hands.  His  body  is  solid, 
round,  and  compact;  the  head  neat,  and  the  forehead  broad; 
the  legs  are  comparatively  heavy,  and  the  joints  large;  the 
shoulders  and  quarters  are  well  formed  and  strongly  muscled; 
the  neck  is  heavy  and  surmounted  by  a  heavy,  bushy  mane ; 
the  tail  is  strong  and  heavy.  He  is  solid,  compact,  and  strong. 
Many  of  them  have  excelled  as  trotters.  Our  long,  tall,  gang- 
ling, lathy  horses  would  be  greatly  improved  by  a  cross  with 
the  Canadian.     He  is  longlived  and  a  moderate  eater. 

THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 

In  almost  every  particular  the  Morgan  horses  are  so  re- 
markably distinct  from  other  horses  as  to  entitle  them  to  be 
considered  a  distinct  breed.  The  Morgan  horses  of  this  coun- 
try are  the  descendants  of  a  horse  owned  by  a  gentleman  by  the 
name  of  Justin  Morgan,  of  Randolph,  Vermont,  from  whom 
the  horse  took  his  name.  The  Morgan  colt,  as  he  was  long 
called,  was  said  to  have  been  sired  by  a  horse  called  True 
Briton,  or  Beautiful  Bay.  True  Briton  was  stolen  from  a 
British  officer  (General  De  Lancy)  by  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Smith.  Of  course,  the  fellow  who  stole  the  horse  failed  to  get 
the  pedigree.  He  was  undoubtedly  a  very  fine  horse,  and  is 
generally  said  to  have  been  thorough-bred.  That  he  possessed 
a  large  admixture  of  blood  is  likely  true.  B'lit  I  have  always 
doubted  his  being  thorough-bred.  His  action  alone  would  in- 
dicate a  mixture  of  blood.  General  De  Lancy  is  said  to  have 
often  amused  the  crowd  by  having  him  jump  high  fences. 


304  NAVIX    ON   THE    HOESE. 

Such  action  is  unknown  to  the  thorough-bred.  The  dam  of 
Justin  Morgan  Avas  of  the  Wild  Air  stock.  Whatever  niay 
have  been  his  chiiins  to  blood,  his  valuable  qualities  have  been 
transmitted  to  his  offspring  in  a  surprising  degree.  The  blood 
of  the  Morgan  is  perceptible  after  many  crosses  on  the  com- 
mon stock.  A  description  of  Justin  Morgan  will  serve  as  a 
general  description  for  the  stock.  Some  of  the  present  Mor- 
gans, however,  have  improved  on  the  original  in  many  respects. 
Cultivation  has  much  improved  the  Morgan  horses. 

Justin  Morgan  was  about  fourteen  hands  high,  weighed  nine 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  He  was  a  dark  bay,  with  black 
legs,  mane,  and  tail.  His  mane  and  tail  were  coarse  and 
heavy,  but  not  wavy,  as  is  the  case  with  most  of-  his  descend- 
ants. His  head  was  not  extremely  small,  but  lean  and  bony, 
the  face  straight,,  the  forehead  broad,  the  ears  small  and  fine, 
and  set  wide  apart.  His  eyes  were  of  medium  size  and  set 
wide  apart,  very  dark  and  prominent  and  full  of  spirit;  his 
nostrils  wide,  the  muzzle  small,  and  the  lips  close  and  firm. 
His  back  was  short ;  the  shoulder-blades  and  hip-bones  were 
long  and  oblique,  and  the  loins  broad  and  muscular.  His 
body  was  long,  round,  and  deep,  and  closely  ribbed  up ;  the  chest 
wide  and  deep,  and  the  breast-bone  prominent.  His  legs  w^ere 
short,  close-jointed,  thin,  but  very  wide,  hard,  and  free  from 
meat,  with  muscles  very  large  for  a  horse  of  his  size.  His 
hair  was  short  and  glossy  at  almost  all  seasons.  He  had 
some  long  hair  on  the  fetlocks,  and  for  a  few  inches  up  the 
back  of  the  legs.  His  feet  were  small  and  round.  He  was  a 
fast  walker  and  a  good  trotter.  He  trotted  low  and  smoothly. 
His  action  was  bold,  fearless,  and  proud,  and  when  a  rider  was 
on  his  back,  he  was  obedient  to  the  least  touch  of  the  rein. 
In  harness  he  was  quiet,  but  full  of  spirit,  and  an  eager,  nim- 
ble traveler,  but  very  patient  in  bad  places.  He  never  fiiiled 
on  a  pull,  and  the  same  spirit  is  observed  in  most  of  his  stock. 

It  is  as  roadsters  and  general  purpose  horses  that  the  Mor- 
gan stock  excel.     As  such   they  are  certainly  unequaled  by 


THE    NORMAN    HORSE.  305 

any  horses  in  this  country,  or,  perhaps,  by  any  in  the  world. 
They  have  sufficient  size,  compactness,  spirit,  endurance,  and 
action.  The}''  are  fast  walkers  and  good  trotters.  'No  other 
horses  have  taken  so  many  premiums  in  our  fairs  as  the  Mor- 
gans. K'one  bear  such  high  prices.  Many  of  them  have 
excelled  as  trotters,  particularly  those  of  the  Sherman  family. 
As  a  trotter  no  stallion  can  compare  with  Stockbridge  Chief. 
One  of  the  chief  points  of  merit  in  the  Morgan  horses  is  the 
great  age  to  which  they  live.  They  sell  in  any  market,  bring 
the  highest  prices,  and  are  capable  of  performing  the  greatest 
amount  of  labor.  The  Morgans  of  the  present  day  range  in 
hight  from  fourteen  to  sixteen  hands.  Their  weight  is  from 
one  thousand  to  twelve  hundred  pounds.  Their  color  is  gen- 
erally bay,  chestnut,  or  black.  But  other  colors  are  sometimes- 
met  with. 

THE  CONNESTOGA  HORSE. 

This  breed  chiefly  belongs  to  the  Middle  States.  He  is  de- 
scended from  the  Flanders  and  Denmark  stocks.  He  is  not  so 
often  met  with  now  as  formerly.  His  hight  is  often  seventeen 
hands.  His  legs  are  long;  he  is  too  light  in  the  barrel,  and  too 
slow  and  dull  in  his  movements.  When  possessing  sufficient, 
weight  of  body  he  is  good  for  heavy  draught. 

THE  NARRAGANSET  PACER. 

This  breed  has  long  been  celebrated  in  Rhode  Island,  Their 
valuable  qualities  were  their  easy  pace  under  the  saddle,  their- 
docility  and  endurance.  They  were  too  small  for  draught.. 
They  were  said  to  be  the  descendants  of  a  horse  imported  b)^ 
Governor  Robertson  from  Andalusia,  in  Spain. 

THE  NORMAN  HORSE. 

Some  of  these  have  been  imported  into  this  country,  and 
their  descendants  possess  considerable  merit.     They  are  capa- 
ble of  carrying  large  loads  at  a  rapid  speed,  and  possess  great 
20 


306  NAYIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

endurance.  They  are  large,  compact,  and  muscular,  and -in 
higlit  about  six4:een  hands. 

FLEMISH  AND  DANISH  HORSES 

Have  mingled  their  blood  with  the  other  stocks  of  this  coun- 
try. Their  descendants  are  chiefly  found  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Ohio,  and  the  North-western  States,  which  have  partially  de- 
rived their  stock  from  the  former.     They  are  large  and  heavy. 

THE  ENGLISH  THOROUGH-BRED. 

No  blood  is  so  extensively  mingled  with  the  other  stocks  of 
this  country  as  the  English  thorough-bred.  Some  of  the  best 
of  the  stock  have  been  imported  into  this  country,  not  so  much 
for  racing  purposes  as  for  breeding.  They  have  vastly  im- 
proved the  common  stock  of  the  country.  The  racing  stock  is 
preserved  in  its  purity  in  the  Southern  States.  ^Many  very 
fine  specimens  of  thorough-bred  horses  are  found  in  those 
States,  and  their  performances  compare  favorably  with  their 
imore  favored  kindred  across  the  water.  Nearly  all  the  horses 
>raised  there  have  a  considerable  admixture  of  the  racing  stock. 

Messenger  was  imported  into  New  York  by  Mr.  Benger. 
Though  he  had  taken  the  King's  plate,  in  England,  he  was 
kept  in  this  country  for  breeding.  His  stock  were  celebrated 
as  roadsters,  rather  than  racers.  He  stood  most  of  his  time 
in  various  parts  of  New  York.  He  was  the  sire  of  some  justly 
•celebrated  horses,  as  Hamiltonian  and  others.  His  influence 
■on  the  stock  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  adjoining  States 
was  very  beneficial. 

The  Hamiltonians,  the  Bellfounders,  the  Henrys,  were  de- 
;scended  from  imported  horses.  They  were  kept  in  different 
parts  of  the  country.  In  almost  every  part  of  our  country 
may  be  found  horses  with  a  decided  admixture  of  racing  stock. 
But  the  pure  thorough-bred  is  seldom  found  in  the  Northern 
•'States. 


THE  EXGLISH  THOROUGH-BEED.  307 

We  find  that  the  prevailing  character  of  the  horses  is  very 
different  in  different  portions  of  the  United  States.  In  New 
Enghmd  we  find  a  hardy,  compact,  good  driving-horse,  of  me- 
dium size,  most  common.  There  traveling  on  horseback  or 
horseback  exercise  is  little  practiced.  In  T^ew  York  a  much 
greater  variety  is  found ;  the  driving-horses  have  a  larger 
mixture  of  the  turf-horse,  and  are  larger  than  in  Xew  England. 
The  draught-horses  are  also  larger.  Quite  plentifully  through- 
out the  State  are  clecendants  of  Messenger,  Henry,  Duroc, 
Eclipse,  and  other  thorough-bred  horses.  Nearly  every  stock 
found  in  this  country  is  represented  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

In  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and  the  North-west,  the  fine  buggy- 
horse  is  less  frequent!}^  met  with,  and  the  saddle-horse  is  more 
common.  There  is  great  variety  in  the  draught  and  farm- 
horses.  Many  of  them,  descended  from  the  Flemish  and 
Danish  horses,  are  of  huge  size.  In  the  West  if  the  question 
is  asked.  What  is  the  size  of  a  horse  ?  the  answer  will  be  given 
in  so  many  hands.  The  weight  is  very  rarely  asked.  But  the 
rage  for  tall  horses  is  fast  giving  way  to  more  rational  ideas. 
Action,  endurance,  adaptation  to  the  work  required,  are  more 
thought  of.  The  horses  of  the  West  have  been  much  improved 
within  a  few  years  past  by  the  gitater  introduction  of  stallions 
from  Kentucky  and  other  Southern  States,  of  more  or  less 
claims  to  blood.  The  Morgan  stock  is  becoming  quite  com- 
mon and  much  admired.  Some  of  the  best  of  the  stock  are 
well  supported  in  the  West.  Stockbridge  Chief,  the  best  stall- 
ion in  the  United  States,  owned  by  Cooper,  of  Cincinnati,  is 
fully  patronized.  The  Morgans  have  demonstrated  their  su- 
perior adaptation  both  to  the  service  of  the  farm  and  road  in 
the  West,  wherever  they  have  been  tried. 

In  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  the  saddle-horse  is  very  com- 
mon, and  has  considerable  blood.  The  draught  and  carriage- 
horses  of  these  States,  as  well  as  those  further  South,  are  gen- 
erally purchased  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  other  Western  States. 
In  the  States  further  South  horses  are  but  little  used,  except 


308  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

for  sporting,  racing,  the  carriage,  and  saddle.  The  saddle- 
horses  are  fine,  indeed,  and  of  the  imported  stock.  A  few 
Arabian  horses  have  been  imported  from  the  desert  into  the 
Southern  States.  From  them  we  shall  expect  many  genuine 
improvements  in  our  horses. 

BREEDING. 

To  all  persons  engaged  in  raising  horses,  the  subject  of  breed- 
ing is  of  the  first  importance ;  for,  unless  the  laws  which  govern 
reproduction  be,  to  some  extent,  understood  and  acted  upon,  all 
efforts  to  improve  existing  stocks,  or  to  produce  horses  for  par- 
ticular kinds  of  service,  must  depend  on  chance,  and,  of  course, 
in  most  cases,  prove  unsatisfactory.  The  great  law  of  repro- 
duction, that  "like  begets  like,"  obtains,  with  universal  sway, 
both  in  the  animal  and  vegetable  kingdoms  of  nature.  But 
every  circumstance,  however  trifling,  affecting  either  the  male 
or  the  female,  will  have  a  corresponding  influence  on  the  off- 
spring. Every  farmer  knows  how  mysteriously  his  genuine 
white  wheat  becomes  degenerated  when  his  neighbors  pay  no 
attention  to  keeping  a  good  stock  of  wheat.  And  this  degen- 
eracy is  only  the  result  of  the  fine  dust  from  the  bloom  (called 
2)ollen)  being  carried  by  the  wind  from  their  fields  to  his.  As 
a  general  rule,  nature  endeavors  to  impress  the  offspring  with 
the  type  of  both  parents.  And  we  usually  find  a  more  or  less 
perfect  blending  of  the  qualities  of  both  in  the  offspring,  with 
a  decided  prominence  of  those  qualities  peculiar  to  only  one  of 
the  parents.  And  this  does  not  extend  merely  to  physical  or- 
ganization, but  is  equally  true  of  mental  characteristics,  and 
also  extends  to  the  propagation  of  the  diseased  condition,  or 
predisposition  to  the  diseases,  of  the  parents.  There  is  scarcely 
a  malady  to  which  the  horse  is  subject  which  is  not  hereditary, 
or  to  which  a  predisposition,  at  least,  may  not  be  transmitted. 
This  is  most  certainly  true  of  thick-wind,  roaring,  blindness, 
spavin,  curb,  contracted  feet,  grease,  and  many  other  diseases ; 
and   particularly  of  viciousness.     But  as  the  male  only  fur- 


BREEDING.  309 

nislies  the  vivifying  principle  (the  pollen)  to  the  egg  (the 
ovum)  of  the  female,  while  the  female  furnishes  the  nutriment 
of  the  embryo  animal  from  her  own  secretions,  we  would  nat- 
urally expect  the  offspring  to  partake  more  of  the  qualities  of 
the  female  than  of  the  male.  And  this  fact  shows  that  the  se- 
lection of  a  mare  to  breed  from  is  of  more  importance  than 
the  selection  of  the  horse  to  breed  to — a  truth  which  seems 
to  have  been  almost  entirely  overlooked,  practically,  at  least, 
m  this  country.  For  we  find  that  farmers,  as  a  general  thing, 
instead  of  breeding  their  best  mares,  keep  them  for  labor,  and 
breed  those  which  are  unfit  for  labor  on  account  of  their  age, 
their  viciousness,  or  even  their  positively  diseased  condition. 
Hence,  although  very  good  stallions  are  to  be  found  in  every 
part  of  our  country,  at  least  four-fifths  of  all  our  horses  bear 
evident  marks  of  hereditary  disease,  malformation,  or  vicious- 
ness. Though  the  defects  of  the  parents  may  not  appear  in 
the  immediate  progeny,  they  will  most  certainly  be  found  in 
the  second  generation.  From  the  foregoing  considerations  we 
may  deduce  the  following  important  points  to  be  observed  in 
breeding: 

First:  The  mare  should  be  selected  from  a  stock  known  to 
be  suited  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  proposed  to  breed. 
She  should  be  of  proper  age  and  size,  well  formed,  of  good 
color,  proper  gait,  and  free  from  any  disease  or  malformation, 
or  any  hereditary  taint. 

Second :  Select  a  stallion  of  good  blood,  but  not  of  near  kin 
to  the  mare,  which  will  be  as  nearly  as  possible  a  perfect  com- 
plement to  the  mare;  by  which  it  is  meant  that  if  she  is  defi- 
cient in  any  point,  this  shall  be  remedied  by  his  peculiar 
excellence  in  the  same  point. 

Third:  It  is  more  important  that  the  ancestry  of  the  mare 
should  be  known  to  be  healthy  and  of  good  stock  than  that 
the  same  should  be  known  of  those  of  the  stallion ;  for,  al- 
though some  mares  breed  after  the  horse,  I  believe  that  it  may 
be  truly  stated  that  three-fourths  breed  after  their  own  stock. 


310  NAYIX   OX   THE   HOESE. 

To  illustrate  more  fully  these  principles,  suppose  the  mare 
to  he  too  fine  in  her  limhs :  to  remedy  this  in  the  offspring,  the 
horse  should  be  even  heavier  limbed  than  desirable,  but  not 
clumsy.  The  dam  and  the  sire  should  always  be  paired,  their 
points  should  be  well  compared,  so  that  any  defect  in  the  one 
may  be  counteracted  by  a  contrast  in  the  other.  A  breeder  often 
puts  several  mares  to  the  same  horse,  and  by  so  doing  seldom 
gets  the  kind  of  horses  he  intends  to  raise ;  for  it  can  not  be 
supposed  that  any  man  will  be  so  careful  in  selecting  his  mares 
as  to  have  them  all  suitable  to  breed  to  the  same  stallion. 
Farmers  often  pursue  this  course  because  it  is  more  convenient 
to  have  all  their  breeders  served  by  the  same  horse.  But  they 
pay  dearly  for  their  convenience  when  their  best  mares  bring 
colts  of  the  most  inferior  character,  and  fit  for  any  thing  else 
than  the  object  for  which  they  intended  them.  This  subject 
demands  the  most  careful  consideration  by  all  who  would  per- 
petuate a  good  stock  or  improve  an  inferior  one. 

Another  very  important  point  to  be  observed  in  breeding  is, 
never  to  put  a  mare  to  a  stallion  of  the  same  stock,  if  they  are 
nearly  akin ;  for  the  foal  will  be  delicate,  and  seldom  as  good 
or  as  large  as  either  the  dam  or  the  sire,  and  never  as  durable 
or  as  well  mettled.  Natural  deformity  may  generally  be  traced 
to  the  fact  that  the  dam  and  sire  were  too  nearly  akin.  A 
distinguished  author  justly  remarks  on  the  subject  of  "  hreed- 
ing  in  and  in,''  as  it  is  called,  that  "it  is  a  fact,  however  much 
some  may  deny  it,  that  strict  confinement  tp  one  breed,  how- 
ever valuable  or  perfect,  produces  gradual  deterioration."  In 
Europe,  where  the  writer  practiced  until  within  the  last  eight 
years,  the  raiser  of  horses  for  the  turf  is  particularly  cautious 

''  this  practice.     No  sportsman  would  purchase  a  race-horse 

he  knew  the  sire  and  dam  to  be  closely  related.  The  farmer 
and  liveryman  are  equally  careful  on  this  subject.  To  pursue 
successfully  the  system  of  crossing  requires  much  judgment 
and  experience ;  for  the  bad  qualities  of  the  cross  are  easily 
ingrafted  on  the  original  stock,  and,  once  there,  are  not,  for 


BREEDING.  311 

several  generations,  got  rid  of;  and  the  good  ones  of  both  are 
occasionally  neutralized  to  a  most  mortifying  extent.  Crossing 
should  be  pursued  with  great  caution,  and  the  most  perfect  of 
the  same  breed  should  be  selected,  but  varied  by  being  fre- 
quently taken  from  diiferent  stocks. 

I  must  again  recur  to  the  very  pernicious  but  frequent  prac- 
tice of  breeding  on  infirm,  small,  ill-shaped,  bad-colored  mares, 
and  those  positively  diseased,  or  predisposed  to  disease  by  he- 
reditary taint — a  practice  which  can  not  be  too  severely  cen- 
sured. I  once  interrogated  a  number  of  gentlemen  who  had 
bought,  at  auction,  I  believe,  several  small,  ill-shaped,  and  dis- 
eased mares,  to  know  wdiy  they  should  have  purchased  such, 
when  they  were  certainly  able  to  have  got  good-sized,  well- 
formed,  and  sound  ones.  One  of  the  gentlemen  replied  that 
"  he  knew  his  mare  was  unfit  for  much  service,  but  he  got  her 
cheap,  and,  as  he  had  plenty  of  grass,  he  intended  to  turn  her 
to  breed."  "  My  friend,"  I  replied,  "your  mare  is  better  suited 
to  any  other  purpose.  Suppose  you  put  her  to  a  horse,  and  raise 
a  colt,  you  can  not  expect  it,  at  the  age  of  four  or  five  years,  to 
bring  more  than  fifty  or  seventy-five  dollars ;  and,  if  any  hered- 
itary ailment  should  descend  to  it,  it  will  not  bring  enough  to 
pay  the  keeping  of  the  dam  for  the  six  months  she  suckled  it. 
Now,  suppose  you  had  taken  the  opposite  course,  and  purchased 
a  large,  well-formed,  good-blooded  mare,  free  from  hereditary 
ailment,  and  put  her  to  a  judiciously  selected  stallion,  you 
would  have  stood  a  fair  chance  of  raising  a  colt  worth  double 
the  price  of  the  former,  and  you  would  also  have  had  the  j^rofit- 
able  labor  of  the  mare."  Two  of  these  gentlemen  followed  my 
counsel,  disposed  of  their  scrub  mares  and  purchased  others, 
and  are  norw  raising,  perhaps,  the  best  horses  in  their  vicinity. 

Another  subject  of  importance,  to  which  I  will  now  call  at- 
tention, is  the  unpardonable  practice  of  breeding  mares  at  two 
years  old.  This  hinders  the  growth  and  spoils  the  form  of  the 
mare.  Thus,  before  her  constitution  is  matured  or  her  strength 
developed,  she  is  overladen,  which  crushes  down  her  joints, 


312  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

especially  the  fetlock,  changes  the  natural  symmetry  of  the 
body,  and  also  has  a  tendency  to  injm'e  the  form  of  the  back 
and  ribs.  After  this  burden  is  got  rid  of,  at  foaling,  then 
comes  the  reduction  on  the  system  by  the  suckling  of  the  foal. 
All  these  influences  combined  destroy  the  strength,  form,  and 
size  of  the  mare.  Besides  all  this,  the  foal  comes  of  small 
size,  not  having  had  room  in  the  space  allowed  by  nature,  and 
will  necessarily  be  very  delicate.  It  also  has  to  be  suckled  by 
a  mare  that  must  continue  to  grow,  and  needs  all  that  nature 
furnishes  for  that  purpose.  Thus  both  the  dam  and  foal  must 
be  deprived  of  the  full,  natural  demands  of  their  systems,  and 
they  are  both  injured  for  all  future  time. 

If  a  mare  is  well  treated  through  life,  allowing  her  to  mature 
before  juitting  her  to  breed,  she  will  continue  to  bring  good 
foals  until  she  is  twenty,  and  some  even  above  that  age.  But 
if  hard  worked  and  poorly  fed,  so  as  to  show  the  effect  of  such 
treatment,  she  can  not  be  expected  to  bring  and  raise  as  good 
foals  as  if  she  had  been  otherwise  treated. 

The  mare  is  said  to  go  with  foal  eleven  months,  or  three 
hundred  days;  but  fully  develoj^ed  foals  have  been  brought 
forth  live  weeks  earlier  than  this,  while  in  other  instances  mares 
have  carried  their  foals  six  weeks  beyond  this  time.  Farmers 
should  not  lose  sight  of  this  in  putting  their  mares ;  for  they 
should  have  their  colts  come  at  a  time  when  there  is  some 
grass,  as  the  mare  will  do  much  better  not  to  be  confined 
entirely  to  dry  feed  at  foaling.  Some  Avriters  say  that  from 
the  time  a  mare  is  put  to  the  horse  she  may  be  used  gener- 
ally. But  from  this  opinion  my  own  observation  and  expe- 
rience constrain  me  to  dissent.  I  insist  that  she  should  be 
allowed  to  stand  idle  until  the  sensation  of  her  heat,  or  season, 
as  it  is  sometimes  called,  subsides.  After  conception,  every 
mare,  if  permitted  to  go  free,  will  stand  by  a  fence  or  tree  in 
a  dormant  position,  after  her  heat  goes  off.  JNTow,  if  at  this 
time  she  be  overworked  or  scared,  she  will  cast  the  concep- 
tion, and  will  require  to  be  served  again.     I  need  not  explain 


BREEDING. 


313 


the  cause  of  this,  as  there  is  no  remedy  or  preventive  for  it, 
only  to  let  the  mare  have  ease  and  peace,  to  allow  nature  to 
fulfill  her  allotted  functions.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  however, 
that  after  a  mare  has  been  a  few  weeks  with  foal,  moderate 
work  will  do  no  injury,  but  will  rather  be  of  service  to  her. 
She  may  do  farm-work  up  to  the  time  of  foaling,  but  must 
never  be  placed  in  a  situation  where  she  will  be  at  all  likely 
to  receive  severe  jolts,  kicks,  or  any  other  violence.  Another 
evil  to  the  conception  is  turning  mares  out  with  string-proud, 
or  badly  castrated,  horses,  to  be  teased  by  these  pests.  This 
is  very  pernicious  to  their  conception.  On  this  the  farmer 
needs  no  theory,  as  the  best  preventive  of  the  evil  is  good 
fences  to  keep  these  fellows  away  from  his  breeding-mares. 
To  show  the  importance  of  attention  to  this  point,  I  will 
state  a  few  cases  which  have  come  under  my  observation.  A 
neighbor  of  mine  put  a  fine  gray  mare  to  a  horse.  She  was 
proved  on  the  regular  trial  day,  and  showed  all  signs  of  con- 
ception. About  three  weeks  after  being  served,  she  stood 
dozing  by  a  fence,  and  the  owner  coming  up,  thinking  her  sick, 
started  her  rather  suddenly.  The  fright  so  shocked  her  nerv- 
ous system  that  she  sickened,  lay  down,  and  cast  the  embryo. 
Another,  in  the  same  township,  aborted  by  a  horse  teasing 
her.  I  knew  a  gentleman  who  put  a  mare  that  had  bred 
several  colts;  but  at  this  time,  and  also  the  year  following, 
she  was  grazed  in  a  pasture  adjoining  one  in  which  a  string- 
proud  horse  was  kept,  and,  of  course,  was  teased  by  him.  The 
consequence  was,  she  had  no  colt  for  two  years.  On  being 
asked  my  opinion  of  the  cause  of  this,  I  went  to  see  the  mare, 
knowing  that  bad  treatment  or  debility  of  the  system  must 
have  given  rise  to  the  difiiculty.  (Of  the  latter  difficulty  I 
shall  speak  fully  in  another  part  of  this  work.)  When  I 
arrived,  I  ascertained  the  above  facts.  The  mare  was  at  once 
removed  from  her  tormentor,  and  for  a  number  of  years  fol- 
lowing never  failed  to  breed.  I  knew  another  mare  to  be 
grazed  in  a  field  back  of  the  stable  in  which  the  horse  was 


314  NAYIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

kept  to  which  she  had  been  put.  She  lingered  about  the 
stable  and  kept  her  heat  up,  and  did  not  conceive  until  re- 
moved to  another  field,  when  she  immediately  gave  signs  of 
conception,  and  in  due  time  brought  a  foal. 

Previous  to  the  time  of  foaling  there  will  be  noticed  a  fur- 
row-like fold  on  each  side  of  the  spinal  bone  extending  from 
the  tail  to  the  haunch.  This,  and  the  increased  size  of  the 
udder,  or  bag,  are  all  the  symptoms  of  approaching  foaling 
that  will  be  observed  until  about  twenty-four  or  forty-eight 
hours  previous,  when  there  will  be  seen  an  adhesive  substance 
protruding  from  each  teat,  like  drops  of  milk.  This  is  a  cer- 
tain indication,  and  as  soon  as  it  is  observed  measures  must 
be  taken  to  secure  the  safety  of  the  foal,  which  will  require 
that  the  mare  shall  be  kept  in  a  suitable  place,  where  some 
careful  person  can  look  after  her  safety. 

Recurring  again  to  the  subject  of  i^utting  a  mare,  I  would  re- 
mark that  the  virgin  mare,  or  one  which  has  not  for  one  season 
had  a  colt,  is  to  be  put  when  she  is  found  in  season.  But  the 
mare  that  has  had  a  colt  will  be  found  in  season  some  time 
in  the  first  month  after  foaling,  and  if  it  is  desired  to  breed 
her  again,  she  must  be  put  at  this  time.  She  should  be  put 
on  the  ninth  day  after  foaling.  Some  say  the  eighth;  but  I' 
think  the  ninth  better.  Others  prefer  the  eleventh  day;  but 
it  is  dangerous  to  wait  longer  than  this,  for  in  nine  cases  out 
of  ten  the  mare  will  have  come  oif  her  heat,  and  Avill  not 
receive  the  horse  until  too  late  for  that  season.  The  chief 
reason  of  this  is,  that  suckling  reduces  the  system  of  the  mare 
too  much  to  allow  conception  to  take  place,  and  thus  a  year's 
service  of  the  breeder  is  lost.  I  have  known  many  instances 
of  this  kind.  I  know  only  one  remedy  for  this,  and  it  is  too 
barbarous  to  be  practiced,  and  any  one  who  would  resort  to  it 
should  be  punished  by  law.  After  putting  a  mare,  the  days 
for  trial  are  the  ninth  after  service,  the  seventh  after  this,  and 
the  fifth  after  this  again,  making  twenty-one  days.  Some 
return  again,  commencing  with  the  ninth  day,  and  follow  up 


BEEEDIJfG.  315 

as  before,  making  forty-two  days.  But  I  insist  that,  as  twenty- 
one  days  is  the  period  elapsing  between  a  mare's  going  out  of 
heat  and  coming  in  again,  making  her  periodical  term  thirty 
days,  twenty-one  days  is  sufficient  to  prove  a  mare. 

Every  breeder  should  be  able  to  judge  of  the  conception 
of  a  mare,  which  will  require  attention  to  the  following  points : 
After  the  first  service  of  the  horse,  and  before  the  next  trial, 
on  examining  the  vagina,  or  bearing,  as  some  call  it,  if  con- 
ception has  not  taken  place,  it  will  be  of  a  fresh,  bright,  or 
florid  and  moist  appearance,  with  a  clear  drop  appearing  at 
the  lower  part,  and  which,  if  touched,  will  incline  to  extend ; 
but  if  conception  is  present,  a  different  appearance  of  the 
surface  of  the  vagina  will  be  presented.  It  will  be  found 
dry  and  of  a  dirty  brown  or  rust  color,  and  a  dark,  bro^Mi- 
looking  drop  will  replace  the  former  clear  drop.  When  these 
latter  appearances  are  present,  pregnancy  may  be  regarded  as 
certain.  They  may  be  relied  on  as  a  sure  criterion  in  the 
purchase  of  a  mare  alleged  to  be  with  foal. 

Strange  as  it  may  appear,  some  mares,  even  though  with 
foal,  if  teased  at  about  the  expiration  of  the  first  month,  or 
part  of  the  second,  will  be  induced  to  admit  of  the  service  of 
the  horse.  I  have  frequently  seen  this  proved.  The  author 
once  put  a  mare  to  a  horse  in  May.  She  stood  every  trial.  In 
harvest — or  in  September,  I  believe — I  rode  her  by  the  stable 
in  which  the  horse  was  kept.  She  forced  toward  the  stable. 
I  took  her  there  and  found  that  she  stood  the  teasing,  and 
should  have  let  the  horse  serve  her;  but  the  groom  not  being 
at  home,  I  was  unable  to  do  so.  Subsequently,  I  deferred 
putting  her  on  account  of  the  lateness  of  the  season.  This 
mare  proved  to  be  with  foal,  and  brought  a  colt  early  the  fol- 
lowing spring. 

Especial  care  should  be  taken  of  a  mare  about  the  fourth 
and  fifth  months  of  her  pregnancy,  and  from  this  time  forward. 
It  is  about  this  time  when  abortion  is  most  likely  to  occur. 
Her  feeding  should  be  increased,  as  she  can  not  endure  hun- 


316  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

ger.  She  has  peculiar  need  of  additional  feed,  as  the  rapid 
groAvtli  of  the  embrj^o  is  a  material  tax  on  her  system,  calling 
for  an  increased  quantity  of  nutriment.  There  are  two  ani- 
mals to  support  on  the  food  of  one.  This  must  not  be  over- 
looked, or  abortion  will  often  be  the  consequence.  Another 
cause  of  abortion,  which  I  will  mention,  is  showing  a  mare 
food  which  she  likes,  and  has  been  in  the  habit  of  eating  pre- 
vious to  this  time,  and  not  letting  her  have  it.  Seeing  or  even 
smelling  such  food  is  dangerous.  I  saw  a  mare  taken  to  a 
mill  in  the  month  of  November,  and  hitched  on  a  floor  near  a 
heap  of  bran,  which  she  tried  very  hard  to  reach,  but  could  not. 
Soon  after  being  taken  off  the  floor,  she  took  sick  and  had  a 
visible  appearance  of  abortion;  but  a  veterinarian  who  was 
present,  and  had  seen  the  whole  transaction,  took  some  of  the 
bran  and  fed  it  to  the  mare,  and  the  spasms,  or  throes,  left  her, 
and  never  returned  again  until  the  full  term.  I  have  known 
other  similar  instances.  Feeding  hogs  by  the  place  wdiere 
mares  not  grain-fed  are  kept,  is  ultimately  dangerous. 

If  a  mare  once  slinks  her  coll,  she  will  be  very  likely  to  do 
so  at  the  same  period  of  her  pregnancy  the  next  3^ear,  and 
continue  the  habit,  especially  if  any  thing  like  the  same  provo 
cation  occurs.  But  if  she  slinks,,  or  aborts,  from  a  hurt,  a 
strain,  or  some  disease,  she  will  not  be  so  liable  to  continue  it 
as  a  habit.  The  best  remedy  I  have  ever  found,  when  a  mare 
shows  symptoms  of  abortion,  is  to  take  the  feathers  of  wild 
birds,  (pigeon  feathers  are  the  best),  and  burn  them  on  a  hot 
j^an,  or  iron,  holding  them  so  that  she  can  inhale,  or  breathe, 
the  smoke. 

If  a  mare  is  in  the  habit  of  slinking  her  foal,  she  should 
not  be  kept  in  the  same  lot  with  other  breedmg-mares ;  for, 
though  it  may  seem  very  strange,  the  act  of  one  mare  slink- 
ing will  be  almost  certain  to  cause  the  others  to  do  the  same. 
This  is  the  result  of  sympathy — some  writers  say  of  imagin- 
ation. But  I  rely  for  its  explanation  on  that  great  sympathy 
whose  delicate  and  mysterious  chain  binds  not  only  the  differ 


EATSIXG.  317 

ent  organs  of  the  same  aniiiia],  but  reaches  out  even  to  others 
of  the  same  species,  or  even  of  different  species,  particuUirly 
if  in  close  contact,  so  that  an  impression  made  on  one  does 
not  stop  with  itself,  but  finds  a  response  in  the  others.  The 
nervous  system  is  the  medium  through  which  this  sympathy 
acts,  and  as  this  is  always  exalted  in  its  sensibilities  during 
jn-egnancy,  we  might  reasonably  expect  such  a  result  as  abor- 
tion from  sympathy.  Imagination,  indeed,  may  produce  abor- 
tion, but  by  an  entirely  similar  impression  on  the  nervous  sys- 
tem to  that  produced  by  fright.  Hysteria  is  a  disease  of  a 
nervous,  spasmodic  character,  generally  resulting  from  the 
sympathy  of  the  uterus,  or  womb,  with  other  organs,  especially 
the  stomach.  The  nervous  system  here  is  the  medium  through 
which  the  morbid  impression  is  transmitted,  and  this  peculiar 
organ  is  susceptible  of  being  affected  even  by  mental  impres- 
sions. 

An  acquaintance,  a  large  breeder,  had  several  mares  slink 
their  foals  the  same  niolit.  I  have  read  of  several  similar  in- 
stances.  These  cases,  which  fell  under  my  observation,  were 
caused  by  the  owner  purchasing  a  mare  in  the  habit  of  slink- 
ing. The  first  year,  at  Christmas,  she  and  three  others  aborted ; 
and  the  next  year  five.  The  third  year,  the  habitual  aborter 
was  separated  from  the  others  and  followed  her  usual  habit,  but 
all  the  others  went  to  their  full  term,  as  they  did  ever  after. 

RAISING. 

Under  this  head  I  shall  treat  of  the  management  of  the  colt 
from  the  time  it  is  foaled  up  to  the  time  it  is  taken  up  for 
breaking,  or  training.  There  is  but  little  to  be  said  on  this 
subject,  though  there  are  very  important  matters  involved  in 
it.  After  the  colt  is  foaled,  the  mare  should  be  allowed  to 
stand  idle  for  three  or  four  weeks,  until  she  comes  to  her  milk. 
She  also  needs  rest  to  allow  her  carcass  to  resume  its  proper 
shape  and  strength,  which  must  necessarily  have  been  con- 
siderably weakened   by  carrying   the  foal   and  foaling.     The 


318  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

foal  is  also  tender,  and  needs  time  to  allow  its  limbs  to  acquire 
proper  sliape  and  strength.  It  should  have  as  little  traveling 
as  possible  to  do ;  though  it  should  be  allowed  to  run  with 
the  dam  on  the  farm,  so  that  it  may  draw  the  milk  often, 
which  will  increase  the  quantity,  as  well  as  enable  the  colt  to 
get  it  while  fresh,  which  is  much  more  wholesome  to  it  than 
stale  milk.  Though  the  colt  should  be  allowed  to  run  with  the 
dam  on  the  farm,  it  should  not  be  allowed  to  follow  her  to 
market,  or  other  places,  over  hard  roads,  for  in  this  way  it  will 
be  very  apt  to  start  impediments,  such  as  ring-bone,  spavin, 
hoof-bound,  curb,  or  splint.  How  these  are  produced  I  shall 
explain  when  treating  of  them  respectively. 

There  is  no  period  of  a  horse's  life  at  which  bad  treatment 
will  have  so  injurious  an  effect  as  at  this.  And  what  is  here 
lost  by  carelessness  or  neglect  can  never  be  regained  by  any 
subsequent  good  attention.  If  it  is  desired  to  have  a  good, 
stout,  well-shaped  horse  that  will  attain  his  natural  growth, 
both  the  dam  and  colt  must  be  well  fed  and  protected  from  foul 
weather  and  severe  storms.  The  proof  of  the  old  adage, 
*'  half  stock,  whole  profit,"  is  here  realized.  Nothing  is  ever 
made  of  any  stock  by  starving,  and  much  less  of  the  horse 
than  any  other  animal.  Where  shape  and  performance,  or 
durability  and  action  are  required,  if  the  young  colt  get  a  start 
by  good  feeding  and  care,  it  will  be  easy  to  keep  him  up  until 
his  training,  at  three  or  four  years  old,  when  his  superior  quali- 
ties will  abundantly  repay  all  former  trouble.  If  poorly  fed 
and  illy  used,  there  is  seldom  any  thing  made. 

At  five  or  six  months  the  foal  may  be  weaned,  if  its  size  and 
strena'th  are  such  as  to  indicate  that  it  is  able  to  do  without 
the  milk.  It  should  be  put  away  in  a  distant  pasture,  where 
it  will  have  no  opportunity  of  seeing  the  dam.  It  must  now 
be  closely  looked  after,  so  that  it  may  be  well  prepared  to 
begin  its  first  winter.  Oats  and  bran  should  be  allowed  in 
liberal  quantity.  It  would  be  better  to  have  the  oats  bruised. 
Generous  feeding  is  the  true  principle  of  economy  in  this  case. 


RAISING.  319 

But  the  colt  should  not  be  rendered  delicate  by  too  close  con- 
finement or  stabling.  He  wants  the  free  use  of  his  limbs  out 
of  doors  to  develop  their  strength,  and  the  free  access  of  air 
into  the  lungs  to  properly  ventilate  his  blood.  This,  too,  is  the 
most  suitable  time  to  commence  the  cultivation  of  that  attach- 
ment to  and  conlidence  in  man  which  gives  rise  to  that  im- 
plicit obedience  which  characterizes  the  horse  above  all  other 
animals.  Harshness  and  cruelty  at  this  j^eriod  are  particularly 
injurious.  The  colt  should  be  frequently  handled  by  those 
feeding  him,  and  even  tied  up,  after  becoming  habituated  to 
being  led  about  by  the  halter.  Early  impressions  on  the 
horse,  as  well  as  on  man,  are  the  most  enduring. 

The  proper  time  for  castrating  a  colt  depends  to  so  great  an 
extent  on  the  purpose  for  which  he  is  intended,  his  shape  of 
neck  and  head,  his  breed,  etc.,  that  any  one  age  can  not  be  put 
down  for  this  operation ;  though,  from  the  practice  of  our 
farmers,  one  would  suppose  that  it  is  a  matter  of  no  conse- 
quence at  what  age  the  operation  is  performed.  A  description 
of  the  mode  of  j^erforming  the  operation  will  be  found  in 
another  part  of  this  work.  As  a  general  rule  the  age  of  four 
or  five  months,  for  the  farm  or  general  purpose  horse,  will  be 
found  proper.  But  some  regard  should  be  paid  to  the  weather, 
which  should  not  be  too  hot,  nor  the  flies  very  numerous.  A 
horse  intended  for  heavy  draught  or  the  carriage  may  generally 
be  castrated  at  the  age  of  one  year,  but  if  too  light  in  the  withers, 
inclined  to  be  ewe-necked,  his  form  will  be  materially  improved 
by  not  castrating  him  until  the  fall,  after  he  is  a  year  old.  But 
if  a  colt  shows  too  large  a  head  and  is  too  heavy  in  the  jaw, 
the  earlier  he  is  castrated  the  better. 

Some  young  horses  are  found  to  have  crooked  pasterns. 
This  difiiculty  commences  to  develop  itself  at  one  year  of  age. 
It  is  caused  by  the  side  of  the  hoof  growing  thin  and  extend- 
ing to  one  side.  Generally,  if  the  hind-hoof,  it  extends  to  the 
inside,  but  if  th*  fore- hoof,  to  the  outside.  When  the  pas- 
tern is  thrown  ouu\\^rd,  it  is  called  pigeon-toe ;  when  inward,  it 


320  NA.VIN   ox    THE    HORSE. 

is  called  officer-toe.     The  extending  inward  of  the  hind-hoof 
is  called  dish-hoof. 

This  difficulty  can  be  remedied  by  turning  up  the  foot,  and 
paring  down  and  thinning  the  side  which  extends  too  far.  But 
if  this  does  not  answer  the  purpose,  put  a  half  shoe  on  the  side 
toward  which  the  pastern  inclines.  This  will  throw  the  pastern 
in  its  proper  position,  and  correct  the  difficulty.  I  have  often 
succeeded  by  these  measures  in  bringing  the  hoof  straight,  and, 
consequently,  prevented  a  crooked  pastern  in  the  growing  ani- 
mal. The  foot  will  most  certainly  be  distorted  if  this  difficulty 
is  neglected. 

TRAINING,  OR  BREAKING. 

This  is  an  art  which  most  persons  attempt,  but  in  which 
very  few  succeed,  for  several  reasons.  First,  they  do  not  ap- 
proach the  unhandled  horse  rightly.  Second,  when  they  do 
approach  him,  it  is  generally  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  him 
worse  than  before.  Third,  they  do  not  know  how  to  tie  the 
horse  in  form  for  snaffling,  as  it  is  called  in  England,  but  in 
this  country,  breaking.  But  there  is  really  a  great  difference 
between  snaffling  and  breaking.  The  latter  refers  to  the 
bringing  of  the  horse  into  subjection  from  the  state  of  nature, 
while  the  former  refers  to  teaching  him  the  use  of  the  bridle 
for  the  purpose  for  which  he  is  intended. 

I  shall  now  attempt  to  explain  how  a  young  horse  should 
be  approached.  And  I  can  not  too  strongly  urge  the  im- 
portance of  gentleness  and  kindness  in  this  first  attempt  to 
bring  this  interesting  animal  to  recognize  the  dominion  of 
man.  Man's  superiority  consists  rather  in  the  superiority 
of  his  moral  powers  than  in  physical  strength.  Indeed,  in 
the  latter  he  is  but  a  feeble  antagonist  for  even  the  horse. 
Some  will  approach  a  horse  with  a  whip  in  hand,  as  if  to 
chastise  him,  or  scare  him  into  subjection.  But  when  the 
untamed  horse  sees  a  man  coming  upon  him  armed  in  this 
manner,  his  first  impulse  is   to  save  himself  by  flight ;   but 


TRAINING,  OR   BREAKING.  321 

if  this  can  not  be  effected,  his  next  reliance  is  battle,  or 
fight,  and  he  becomes  the  more  desperate  as  he  has  an  in- 
stinctive idea  of  the  superiority  of  man. 

"Self-preservation    is    the  first   law   of    nature,"  and   the 
horse   is  not  less   sensitive  to  its   impulses   than    man,   and 
arouses  all  of  his  energies  for  defense   even    against  the  ap- 
proach of  apparent  danger.     At  the  same  time  the  horse  is 
taught  man's  superiority  and  obedience  to  him,  he  must  also 
be  made  to  know  that   he  is  a  protector  and  defender,  and 
not  a  tyrant  over  him.     If  any  unhandled  horse  is  not  of  a 
vicious  disposition,  and  very  few  are  until  made  so  by  bad 
treatment,   but    little    difficulty  will    be    experienced   in   ap- 
proaching him.     First  commence   by  feeding  him,  and  talk- 
ing  to   him,  and   gently   handling  him.     He  will  very  soon 
become    sufficiently  docile  to  admit   the  halter,  or  even   the 
bridle,  to  be  put  on.     But  if  the  horse  is  of  an  excitable  or 
vicious  disposition,  the  following  plan  will  succeed   the  best, 
and,  if  firmly  pursued,  I  think  will  be  found  equally  effectual 
in  bringing  into  subjection  the  vicious  animal,  with  the  dif- 
ferent  systems  which,   in    the    hands  of    some    individuals, 
have   acquire^:!  such   celebrity,  and   has  the   advantage  over- 
other  plans  of  taming,  that  it  may  be  practiced  by  any  person, 
who  has   only  nerve   enough   to   not   betray  any  expression, 
of  fear  to  the    animal,  though    he    may  never   before  have- 
even   seen  the  plan  pursued   in  a  single   instance.     I    have- 
seen  the  most  vicious  animals  completely  subdued  in  a  few- 
days    by  this    plan.     One    splendid    mare,    eight  years   old,, 
which   had    baffled    the    most  successful    trainers,  was    pur- 
chased  by  myself  for  forty  dollars;    and  though   it  was   re- 
garded extremely  dangerous  for  any  person  to  even  enter  the 
door  of  her  stable,  she  was  rendered  perfectly  submissive  in 
three  days  under  this  system,  and  is  now,  as  she  has  been, 
over  since,  entirely  free  from  her  former  vicious  disposition. 
The  following  is  the  course  to  be  pursued.    Having  the  horse' 
loose  in  '6.  stable,  take  a  narrow  board  or  hoop-pole,  and,  enter- 
21 


322  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

i 

ing  the  stable  with  an  expression  of  confidence  and  determ- 
ination, commence  striking  the  sides  of  the  stable,  the  lofting, 
and  the  rack,  if  any,  making  considerable  fuss.  By  this  means 
you  show  the  horse  your  power  over  him,  and  that  resistance 
or  fight  on  his  part  would  be  useless ;  and,  consequently,  he 
will  not  attempt  it,  but  will  stand  as  close  to  the  wall  as  he 
can  get,  keeping  his  head  as  far  off  as  the  wall  will  permit. 
jN'ow  strike  the  wall  over  him,  and  as  near  to  him  as  possible. 
You  will  very  soon  find  him  begin  to  look  for  sympathy  or 
friendship,  and,  when  you  see  this,  be  sure  to  show  mercy. 
Lay  the  pole  lightly  on  him  any  place  back  of  the  withers, 
and  rub  him  back  toward  the  tail,  being  careful  neither  to  rub 
•too  lightly  nor  yet  so  heavy  as  to  make  him  think  you  are  do- 
ing it  to  hurt  him.  Continue  to  rub  him  until  he  looks  friendly. 
J3ut  if  he  refuses,  make  more  passes,  and  then  rub  him  again ; 
■in  a  short  time  he  will  throw  off  his  obstinacy  and  be  less 
.scared.  jN'ext  time  use  a  shorter  stick.  Pretty  soon  you  will 
ifind  that  you  may  pat  him  on  the  neck  ;  and  after  this  is  al- 
lowed, rub  him  under  the  breast,  belly,  and  flank  with  the 
Jiand.  After  this  you  can  use  a  clapboard,  one  about  four 
•or  five  feet  long,  following  the  same  course  as  before.  The 
next  thing  you  wish  to  do  is  to  put  the  halter  on  him.  This 
you  will  accomj^lish  in  the  following  manner :  Press  over  his 
■Jiead,  and  when  he  lowers  it  for  fear  of  being  struck,  hold  your 
hand  as  high  above  it  as  you  can,  and  keep  raising  and  lower- 
ing your  hand  until  it  touches  him,  but  do  not  keep  your  hand  on 
Jiis  head,  until  you  see  his  willingness  to  allow  you  to  do  so. 
When  he  refuses,  resort  to  the  board  again.  By  patiently 
.persevering  in  this  course  he  will  soon  allow  you  to  put  your 
>hand  on  his  foretop,  which  you  should  pull  and  rub,  so  as  to 
familiarize  him  with  having  it  handled.  This  course  is  to  be 
.pursued  with  great  patience  until  you  think  him  sufficiently 
.submissive  to  allow  the  halter  to  be  put  on.  Before  venturing 
■on  this,  rub  a  little  oil  of  rhodium  on  your  hands  and  clothes, 
.and  wear  no  other  clothes  until  the  horse  is  haltered. 


SXAFFLING.  323 

After  thus  bringing  the  horse  to  submit  to  his  master,  he  is 
ready  to  be  tied  up  for  snaffling ;  and  when  this  is  done,  he 
may  be  properly  gaited. 

V  SNAFFLING. 

This,  as  before  remarked,  is  the  art  of  instructing  the  horse 
in  the  use  of  the  bridle-bit,  to  suit  the  purpose  for  which  he  is 
intended  to  be  used.  It  has  two  leading  objects.  The  first  is 
to  accustom  his  mouth  to  the  use  of  the  bit,  securing  the 
proper  degree  of  tenderness,  and  giving  him  a  knowledge  of 
the  object  of  the  different  positions  and  motions  of  the  rein. 
The  second  is  to  give  the  neck  and  head  the  right  position. 
This  practice,  although  almost  entirely  neglected,  or  unknown, 
in  the  greater  portion  of  the  United  States,  is  a  very  neces- 
sary part  of  the  horse's  education.  In  Europe,  a  horse  worth 
three  hundred  dollars  would  not  sell  for  two  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-five, if  not  snaffled  and  gaited.  Indeed,  so  necessary  is  this 
regarded  there,  that  a  great  many  men  follow  this  branch  of 
training  as  a  distinct  avocation,  and  find  it  a  lucrative  employ- 
ment. 

If  a  horse  is  intended  for  the  carriage  he  must  carry  a  high 
head;  the  saddle-horse,  not  so  high,  lest  the  froth  from  his 
mouth  should  soil  the  rider's  clothes.  The  courser  and  hunter 
must  keep  his  head  lower  still,  so  that  he  may  be  able  to  see 
where  to  place  his  feet.  JN^ow,  if  all  this  is  necessary,  which 
none  will  doubt,  is  it  not  well  to  know  how  to  secure  these 
objects? 

For  this  purpose,  it  is  necessary  to  procure  a  bridle  with  a 
mouthing-bit.  The  mouth-piece  should  be,  at  least,  from  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  to  an  inch  bar,  also  a  surcingle.  The  back- 
strap  of  a  buggy-harness  would  do,  but  the  turrets  are  too  high 
up.  The  turrets  should  be  placed  at  the  round  of  the  ribs; 
and  to  the  surcingle  a  crupper  must  be  attached.  This  sinii^le 
rigging  put  on,  if  it  is  intended  to  prepare  the  horse  for  the 


324  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

carriage,  run  the  reins  through  two  rings  suspended  from  the 
throat-latch,  and  pass  them  over  the  hook,  or  turret,  at  the  top 
of  the  surcingle,  making  the  reins  short  enough  to  elevate  the 
head  to  the  position  required. 

If  for  a  saddle-horse,  pass  the  reins  through  the  turrets  at 
the  sides,  not  passing  them  through  the  rings  at  the  throat- 
lash,  and  unite  them  by  a  strap,  or  cord  across  the  neck,  just 
forward  of  the  withers.  By  this  the  position  of  the  head  can 
be  regulated — made  either  higher  or  lower,  as  may  be  required. 

If  for  a  racer  or  hunter,  use  the  latter  arrangement,  with  a 
martingale  to  keep  the  head  down.  In  either  case,  let  the 
horse  move  around  three  hours  each  day  in  the  stable  or  yard. 
This  is  done  to  let  him  champ  and  make  the  mouth  tender,  and 
to  accustom  him  to  the  constrained  position  of  the  head  and 
neck.  After  the  mouth  has  become  somewhat  accustomed  to 
the  bit,  a  cavezon  is  put  on,  and  the  horse  is  by  this  taught  to 
turn.  This  consists  of  a  loop  of  iron  to  pass  around  the  nose, 
with  a  ring  on  each  side  of  the  mouth,  and  a  projecting  turret, 
four  or  five  inches  rising  from  the  front  of  the  nose ;  at  its  end 
is  a  ring.  It  is  held  on  by  a  headstall  and  by  a  strap  at  the 
back  of  the  chin,  by  which  the  two  sides  are  united.  By  this 
strap  it  can  be  tightened  or  loosened. 

The  rope  or  rein  is  first  fastened  in  the  ring  in  the  turret  in 
•front  of  the  nose.  Then  the  horse  is  made  to  turn,  first  one 
way  and  then  the  other,  and  run  around  in  a  circle,  and  so  on, 
until  he  becomes  accustomed  to  turning.  After  some  time  the 
rein  may  be  put  in  one  of  the  rings  of  the  cavezon  at  the  side 
of  the  mouth,  and  the  horse  exercised  as  before.  This  opera- 
tion is  called  allonging  tlie  horse.  After  this,  two  reins  may  be 
used,  the  trainer  standing  behind  the  horse,  and  he  may  be 
taught  to  move  forward,  turn  sidewise  and  back.  After  this 
the  horse  may  be  backed,  and  accustomed  to  the  use  of  the 
rein  in  the  hands  of  the  rider.  And  here  will  be  required  a 
trainer  who  understands  his  business,  or  former  labor  will 
amount  to  but  little.     If  the  horse  is  for  a  hackney,  his  head 


FEED   AND    FEEDIXG.  .  325 

must  be  held  constantly  in  the  proper  position  for  that  partic- 
ular service.  The  same,  if  for  any  other  purpose.  Many 
days  will  be  necessary  to  teach  the  horse  the  meaning  of  every 
motion  of  the  rein,  every  pace  required,  and  to  constantly  sub- 
mit to  the  weight  of  the  rider's  hand.  I  can  not  give  in  this 
work  minute  instructions  on  gaiting  horses,  but  would  remark 
that  every  line  horse  should  be  properly  trained  and  gaited 
to  enable  him  to  appear  to  advantage. 

FEED  AND  FEEDING. 

The  diet  o'f  the  horse  is  very  simple,  and  confined  to  a  very 
few  articles.  But  it  admits  of  sufficient  variety  to  enable  the 
owner,  in  any  part  of  the  country,  to  supply  his  horse  feed 
from  the  productions  of  the  district.  The  most  important 
articles  of  the  horse's  diet  are  the  farinacious  or  starch-yield- 
ing grains.  Among  these  are  oats,  Indian  corn,  beans,  buck- 
wheat, wheat,  and  barley.  Certain  roots  containing  starch  and 
sugar  are  sometimes  used  as  articles  of  the  horse's  diet,  such 
as  potatoes  and  carrots. 

Various  grasses  and  herbs  are  eaten  by  the  horse  in  their 
green  state.  They  constitute  what  is  called  green  feed  or 
green  meat.  Certain  grasses  and  herbs  are  cut  when  they 
reach  a  proper  stage  of  ripeness,  cured,  and  put  up  for  future 
use.  This  is  called  hay.  The  principle  articles  used  as  hay 
in  this  country  are  timothy,  blue-grass,  clover,  and  red-top. 
The  nutritive  qualities  of  these  articles  depend  on  the  same 
principles,  whether  used  dry  or  green.  Their  nutritiveness  de- 
pends mainly  on  the  sugar  they  contain. 

Whatever  may  be  the  food  given  the  horse,  its  mode  of 
preparation  will  have  much  to  do  with  its  effect  in  sustaining 
him.  A  diet  containing  but  Jittle  nutriment  may  be  so  given 
as  to  do  as  much  good  as  a  much  more  nutritious  diet  care- 
lessly given.  Cheapness  is  an  important  object,  to  those  who 
have  to  buy  their  feed  especially.  To  attain  this  end  the  feed 
should  be  so  prepared  and  so  given  that  every  particle  of  nu- 


326  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

triment  may  be  extracted  from  it  during  the  process  of  diges- 
tion. In  the  ordinary  ways  of  feeding,  a  large  part  of  the 
food  passes  through  the  bowels  without  losing  its  nutritive 
principles  at  all.  In  this  way  a  great  waste  is  sustained,  and 
the  horse's  digestive  organs  impaired. 

I  shall  now  consider  the  principal  articles  of  the  horse's 
feed,  and  the  best  methods  of  preparing  and  using  them. 

Oats. — Oats  stand  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  the  articles  of 
the  horse's  feed.  Shelled  oats  contain  about  seven  hundred 
and  forty  parts  of  nutritive  matter  to  the  one  thousand.  They 
are  easy  of  digestion,  healthy  in  their  effect  on*  the  system, 
improving  the  condition  generally,  and  enabling  the  horse  to 
perform  his  work  without  injury  to  his  health  or  spirit.  The 
ordinary  method  of  feeding  oats  is  to  give  them  in  the  grain, 
moistened  with  water.  They  are  sufficiently  digestible  in  this 
way.  The  cjuantity  required  per  day  for  a  horse  of  ordinary 
work,  with  proper  allowance  of  hay,  is  about  sixteen  pounds  a 
day.  The  allowance,  or  ration,  of  the  United  States  cavalry 
horse  is  twelve  pounds  of  oats  and  twelve  pounds  of  hay. 
Cut  oats  is  very  good  for  a  horse  not  working.  The  straw  of 
oats  contains  but  very  little,  if  any,  nutriment. 

Corn. — The  common  Indian  corn  is  very  extensively  used  in 
the  West  as  an  article  of  diet  for  the  horse.  It  contains,  in 
one  thousand  parts,  six  hundred  and  fifty  parts  of  nutritive 
matter.  It  is  a  very  nutritious  food,  but  alone  is  too  stimulat- 
ing. It  may  be  safely  used  in  winter,  and  especially  with 
horses  that  are  worked  hard.  The  meal,  used  with  chopped 
feed  or  oats,  is  good  under  any  circumstances.  Indeed,  it 
would  be  the  best  and  most  economical  at  all  times  to  have 
^  e  corn  ground.     None  of  its  nutriment  is  then  lost.     Corn- 

.eal  gruel  is  very  good  for  horses  recovering  from  severe 
sickness. 

Beana. — Beans  may  be  fed  to  the  horse  alone,  or  ground  up 
with  other  food.  In  the  one  thousand  parts  they  contain  five 
hundred  and  seventy  parts  of  nutritive  matter.     They  are  a 


FEED   AXD    FEEDING.  327 

very  invigorating  article  of  diet.  They  are  very  stimulating, 
and  are  also  astringent.  The  use  of  beans  alone  would  cause 
inconvenient  costiveness.  It  would  pay  well  for  our  farmers 
to  give  more  attention  to  the  culture  of  beans  for  feeding  pur- 
poses. Two  pounds  of  crushed  beans  a  day  added  to  the 
horse's  feed  during  the  winter  will  greatly  increase  his  strength 
and  endurance. 

Peas. — These  possess  similar  properties  to  beans.  They  are 
not  quite  so  stimulating.  They  should  be  crushed.  They 
contain,  in  one  thousand  parts,  live  hundred  and  seventy-four 
parts  of  nutritive  matter;  but,  like  beans,  this  is  by  no  means 
the  standard  of  their  invigorating  and  sustaining  quality. 
They  arc  much  more  valuable  as  an  article  of  feed  than  this 
would  indicate.  Given  whole,  peas  may  do  mischief  by  swell- 
ing in  the  stomach. 

Buckwheat. — In  some  parts  of  this  country,  buckwheat  is 
ground  with  other  feed,  and  is  considered  very  nutritious  and 
healthy. 

Wheat. — The  better  part  of  the  wheat  flour  is  too  expensive 
for  horse-feed.  It  is  only  the  shorts  and  bran  that  are  given 
the  horse.  Shorts  are  mild,  non-stimulating  and  nutritious. 
Mixed  with  cut  or  chopped  hay,  shorts  are  valuable  feed. 
Scalded  shorts  are  often  recommended  as  the  first  feed  after 
recovery  from  sickness,  and  also  during  sickness.  They  seem 
to  have  a  laxative  effect  on  the  bowels.  Bran  is  not  so  nu- 
tritious as  shorts,  but  mixed  with  cut  hay  is  very  much 
relished,  and  makes  good  feed. 

Barley. — Barley  contains  920  parts  of  nutritive  matter  in  the 
1000.  It  is  the  common  food  of  the  horse  in  some  parts  of  the 
continent  of  Europe.  It  is  very  stimulating  and  laxative.  It 
might  do  for  horses  that  work  hard.  It  should  be  bruised  and 
given  with  cut  hay.  Boiled  barley  is  a  good  laxative.  When 
a  horse  is  on  the  use  of  the  flax-seed  jelly  for  the  purpose  of 
fattening  him,  he  should  have  a  feed  of  four  or  five  pounds  of 
well-boiled  barley  every  week  or  ten  days. 


328  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

Potatoes. — Potatoes  contain  230  parts  of  nutritive  matter  to 
the  1000.  They  are  given  rtlw  and  sliced,  in  cut  feed,  but  they 
are  best  boiled  or  steamed.  Many  horses  will  thrive  and 
work  well  on  boiled  potatoes.  It  is  best  to  give  them  in  mixed 
feed. 

Carrots. — This  root  is  regarded  as  promoting  the  strength 
and  endurance  of  the  horse  in  a  high  degree.  It  is  much  es- 
teemed as  a  feed  for  sick  and  convalescent  horses.  In  health, 
carrots  may  be  given  sliced  in  cut  feed.  Half  a  bushel  a  day 
is  sufficient,  if  other  strong  feed  is  not  given.  Boiled  carrots 
are  given  to  sick  horses.  Carrots  are  much  used  in  feeding 
racing  and  other  sporting  horses.  They  greatly  improve  the 
horse's  wind.  More  attention  should  be  given  to  their  culti- 
vation. 

Ilaij. — Timothy  is  by  far  the  most  'extensively  used  as  hay. 
It  contains  all  the  properties  necessary  in  hay,  and  is  easily 
cured  and  put  up.  It  is  one  of  the  most  important  agricul 
tural  products  of  this  country.  It  should  be  cured  without  any 
rain  falling  on  it  after  it  is  cut.  It  contains  near  100  parts  of 
nutritive  matter  to  the  1000.  It  is  not  so  much  on  the  pro- 
portion of  nutritive  matter  it  contains,  as  on  its  peculiar  adapt- 
ation to  the  horse's  digestive  system,  that  its  value  dej^ends. 
The  quantity  of  hay  given  to  the  horse  should  be  regular,  as 
that  of  the  oats  or  corn.  The  habit  of  giving  a  large  quantity 
one  day,  and  but  little  the  next,  is  very  injurious.  It  begets 
bad  habits  in  the  horse.  The  rack  is  a  good  way  to  give  hay, 
if  properly  made.  It  is  not  spoiled  by  the  horse's  breath  as 
when  given  him  in  a  nianger.  The  dust  is  also  shaken  out  of 
it  by  drawing  it  from  the  rack.  It  improves  the  carriage  of 
the  young  horse's  head  to  have  been  accustomed  to  reach  up 
for  his  hay.  Cut  hay  is  the  best  article  to  give.  Bran,  shorts, 
and  ground  feed,  with  blue-grass,  rcd-toj^,  clover,  rye-grass, 
and  the  prairie-gTass  of  the  West,  possess  nearly  the  same 
properties  of  timothy,  and  may  be  used  in  place  of  it  for  hay. 
Whatever  grass  is  used  for  hay  should  be  well  cured  and  put 


PREPARATION   OF   FOOD.  329 

up  without  rain.  If  hay  is  salted  as  it  is  put  up,  its  digestibility 
and  palatableness  will  be  much  improved.  Mowburned  or 
molded  hay  is  very  injurious,  and  should  not  be  given  the 
horse.  Any  kind  of  hay  will  do  to  cut  for  chaff  to  give  meal, 
shorts,  etc.,  with.  Even  straw  is  better  for  this  purpose  than 
to  feed  the  horse  on  grain  alone. 

The  blades  of  corn,  pulled  and  cured  in  the  summer,  are  su- 
perior to  any  of  the  grasses  for  hay.  They  are  the  best  article 
that  can  be  given  the  sporting-horse  or  the  stallion.  It  will 
pay  well  to  pull  them  v/hen  the  price  of  hay  is  high,  or  to  feed 
valuable  horses. 

PREPARATION  OF  FOOD. 

The  'feed  of  the  horse  is  usually  given  with  no  other  prepa- 
ration than  that  necessary  to  take  care  of  it.  And  when  we 
see  that  horses  perform  all  manner  of  work  with  ease  and  suc- 
cess fed  in  this  way,  we  naturally  become  skeptical  on  the 
theories  we  often  see  put  forth  in  advocacy  of  more  artificial 
systems  of  feeding.  The  horse's  digestion  is  very  powerful, 
and  when  healthily  performed,  needs  but  little  assistance  from 
art. 

The  feed  of  the  horse  may  be  cut,  boiled,  bruised,  steeped, 
steamed,  and  even  baked.  Hay  and  straw  are  often  cut,  and 
there  are  many  advantages  claimed  for  cut  feed  over  the  com- 
mon way  of  feeding.  In  some  particulars  these  claims  are 
doubtless  just.  I  shall  only  mention  a  few  advantages  of  cut 
feed.  The  cut  hay  or  straw  is  always  mixed  with  the  grain ; 
the  hay  is  given  in  quantity  and  manner  that  the  horse  is  not 
so  likely  to  waste  it ;  the  grain  given  with  the  chaff  is  better 
chewed  than  when  given  alone,  and,  consequently,  is  better  and 
more  easily  digested ;  old  horses  can  grind  their  feed  better 
when  given  as  chop-feed  than  the  common  way ;  the  horse  is 
not  so  apt  to  eat  his  feed  too  fast  when  the  grain  is  mixed  with 
the  cut  hay ;  hay  or  straw  which  would  be  scarcely  eaten  by 
the  horse  is  readily  taken  when  given  as  chop-feed.     For  fur- 


330  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOKSE. 

ther  discussion  of  this  subject,  consult  the  various  agricultural 
journals.  Bruised  or  crushed  grain  is  given  with  a  view  of  its 
being  more  easily  and  perfectly  digested.  It  is  also  preferred 
by  the  horse.  Boiling  and  steaming  are  for  the  same  purpose, 
generally.  The  properties  of  some  roots  are  changed  by  boil- 
ing, making  them  agree  better  with  the  horse ;  as  turnips, 
potatoes,  artichokes,  etc. 

Hay  tea^  made  by  steeping  hay  in  hot  w^ater,  and  closely  cov- 
ered until  cool,  is  an  excellent,  nutritious  drink  for  sick  horses. 
It  would  doubtless  be  of  advantage  to  horses  of  quick  action 
wdien  tired  and  hungry. 

Seasoning. — The  only  article  of  this  class  necessary  is  salt. 
The  horse  should  have  salt  once  a  day.     It  is  a  very  good  plan . 
to  give  it  in  his  soft  feed,  or  even  in   meal.     Some  prefer  the 
rock-salt,  but  I  apprehend  it  has  no  superiority  over  the  com- 
mon salt. 

Niter  (saltpeter)  is  often  given  the  horse,  but  it  is  not  only 
useless,  but  even  injurious.  In  some  countries,  pepper,  ginger, 
or  other  stimulants,  are  often  given  the  horse.  They  may  be 
valuable  in  very  warm  climates,  but  are  not  necessary  in  ours. 

Time  of  Feeding. — Most  persons  have  their  times  for  feeding 
arranged  to  suit  the  business  they  follow.  The  farmer  feeds 
three  times  a  day,  and  this  is  the  least  number  of  feeds  the 
horse  will  do  well  on.  Others  feed  oftener,  but  the  quantity 
of  provender  used  is  about  the  same  per  day  if  the  horse  is 
fed  three  or  six  times. 

Water. — Many  lengthy  discussions  have  been  indulged  in  on 
the  subject  of  watering.  Many  confiictiiag  oj^inions  have  been 
advanced.  Men  of  observation  do  not  seem  to  conclude  alike 
in  all  cases.  Undoubtedly  the  watering  should  depend,  to 
some  extent,  on  the  use  for  which  the  horse  is  intended.  If  for 
quick  action,  his  watering  should  be  so  arranged  that  he  may 
never  be  put  to  his  work  with  his  secum  full  of  water,  for  his 
wind  may  be  injured  by  it.  But  that  he  should  have  water  as 
often  as  he  becomes  thirsty  seems  but  the  deduction  of  com- 


PREPAEATIOX   OF   FOOD.  331 

mon  sense.  How  he  should  be  watered  is  a  different  thing. 
It  may  be  given  not  quite  cold,  and  in  but  a  sup  or  two  at  a 
time,  the  horse  being  somewhat  rested  before  giving  it.  I 
speak  of  the  hackney  and  carriiige-horse,  leaving  the  watering 
of  the  racer  and  sporting-horse  to  sporting  men.  The  principal 
w^aterings  should  be  before  feeding,  as  much  or  more  than  half 
an  hour.  Neither  man  nor  horse  should  drink  cold  water 
until  satisfied  when  parched  with  thirst.  It  should  be  taken 
with  the  chill  off  and  in  small  quantities,  repeated  at  inter- 
vals, or  not  taken  at  all  until  the  feverishness  of  thirst  has 
subsided.  It  might  be  proper  to  remark  that  by  habit  the 
horse  may  learn  to  pass  the  hot  days  of  summer  on  but  a  few 
draughts  of  water.  It  is  not  so  important  to  the  horse  of  slow 
work  not  to  drink  largely,  provided  his  system  is  in  proper 
condition  not  to  have  inflammation  brought  on  by  drinking. 
]S'othing  is  more  injurious  to  the  horse  than  the  want  of  suf- 
ficient water.  If  the  horse  has  fresh  water  constantly  in  reach, 
I  think  he  will  never  be  found  to  be  injured  by  it.  It  cools  the 
undue  heat  of  the  system,  and  rapidly  dilutes  the  blood.  It  is 
nature's  febrifuge — the  best  fever  medicine  in  the  world. 
The  horse  should  be  slightly  exercised  after  drinking,  to  pre- 
vent the  water  from  chilling  the  bowels. 

The  evil  effects  which  result  from  drinking  cold  water  when 
the  horse  is  hot  are  spasmodic  colic,  founder,  rheumatism, 
and  indigestion.  These  effects  are  more  likely  to  follow  if  the 
horse  is  getting  cool  when  the  water  is  given,  than  if  given 
when  he  is  at  high  heat.  If  the  horse  is  briskly  exercised  as 
soon  as  done  drinking,  these  effects  will  be  avoided.  If  after 
drinking  the  horse  is  observed  to  shiver  and  the  coat  stare,  or 
the  sweat  rapidly  dry  up,  evil  may  be  expected.  A  table-spoon- 
ful of  ginger,  a  tea-spoonful  of  saltpeter,  and  a  little  whisky 
may  be  given  to  prevent  the  threatened  attack. 


332  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

CONSTRUCTION  OF  STABLES. 

Much  of  the  horse's  comfort  and  usefiihiess  depends  on 
the  condition  of  his  stable  and  stable  management.  Proper 
stabling  is  as  necessary  to  his  health  and  ability  to  labor  as 
comfortable  housing  is  to  man.  In  constructing  stables,  three 
objects  may  properly  be  considered — cost,  convenience,  and 
healthfulncss.  I  shall  present  a  few  hints  on  these  subjects, 
more  with  a  view  to  calling  attention  to  their  importance  than 
o-ivino-  a  model  to  be  followed  in  the  erection  of  stables.  The 
man  who,  through  neglect  or  stinginess,  fails  to  provide  com- 
fortable stables  for  his  horses,  is  guilty  of  a  crime  which  merits 
the  contempt  of  all  humane  people,  if  not  the  punishment  of 
the  law.     It  is  cruelty  to  man's  best  servant. 

The  cost  of  a  stable  may  be  very  considerable,  or  a  very 
small  outlay  only  may  be  necessary  to  erect  a  comfortable, 
healthy,  and  convenient  one.  Stables  may  be  stone,  brick,  or 
frame  buildings.  In  this  country  frame  stables  are  the  cheap- 
est and  most  common.  The  frame  should  be  heavy  and  strong, 
and  placed  on  a  firm  rock  foundation.  It  should  be  sufficiently 
raised  from  the  ground  not  to  furnish  a  harbor  for  rats. 

The  principal  door  should  face  to  the  south,  and  a  dry  lot,  of 
considerable  size,  should  surround  the  stable.  The  weather- 
boarding  should  be  an  inch  thick,  jointed,  placed  perpendicu- 
lar, and  the  joints  covered  by  strips.  The  inside  of  the  stable 
should  be  ceiled  up  to  the  joists.  The  upper  floor  should  be 
laid  close,  so  as  to  prevent  dust  and  hay-seed  from  falling 
through  on  the  horses.  The  floor  should  be  laid  with  two-and- 
a-half-inch  boards,  closely  jointed.  The  part  of  the  floor 
under  the  stalls  should  be  laid  of  oak  boards.  They  should 
be  placed  so  as  to  run  from  the  front  to  the  back  of  the  stalls, 
and  the  front  should  be  about  two  inches  and  a  half  higher 
than  the  back.  At  the  foot  of  the  stall  a  gutter  should  be 
made  so  that  the  water  will  run  oif,  and  not  stand  in  puddles 
at  the  horse's  heels.  The  depth  from  the  gutter  to  the  front 
of  the  stall  should  be  about  nine  feet.     The  partition  between 


CONSTRUCTION    OF    STABLES.  333 

the  stalls,  called  the  travis,  should  he  made  of  inch-and-a-half 
or  two-inch  hoards,  closely  jointed.  The  length  of  the  travis 
may  be  from  five  to  nine  feet,  the  latter  being  preferred,  as 
it  more  effectually  prevents  the  horses  from  kicking  each  other. 
The  hight  of  the  partition  should  be  about  seven  feet  at  the 
head  and  five  at  the  heels.  The  travis  is  supported  by  two 
posts,  one  at  the  head  and  the  other  at  the  heels.  The  heel- 
post  should  be  round,  or  have  the  corners  rounded.  The 
posts  should  reach  the  joists  above.  Some  have  the  heel-post 
only  as  high  as  the  partition.  The  posts  should  be  firmly 
placed,  so  the  stall  may  not  give  way. 

The  proper  width  for  the  stalls  is  about  five  and  a  half  or 
six  feet.  It  would  be  well  to  have  one  partition  so  constructed 
as  to  be  easily  taken  out,  to  throw  two  stalls  together  for  a 
horse-box  for  a  sick  horse. 

The  feed-trough,  or  manger,  may  be  made  of  wood,  but  an 
iron  one  would  be  better.  The  common  low  manger  is  very 
inconvenient,  and  affords  great  opportunities  for  wasting.  The 
wooden  manger  is  generally  made  long  enough  to  reach  clear 
across  the  stall.  This  is  longer  than  necessary.  Thirty  or 
thirty-six  inches  is  long  enough.  It  should  be  one  foot  broad 
and  ten  or  eleven  inches  deep.  The  manger  should  have  no 
rough  or  sharp  edges  for  the  horse  to  bruise  or  cut  himself  on. 
A  ring  is  generally  attached  to  the  manger,  to  which  to  fasten 
the  collar-rein.  This  should  be  placed  about  nine  inches  from 
the  partition.  The  top  of  the  manger  should  be  about  three 
and  a  half  or  four  feet  above  the  floor  of  the  stall. 

The  hay-rack  should  be  placed  in  the  opposite  corner  from 
the  manger,  if  a  side  rack  is  used.  The  front  rack,  of  course, 
extends  the  width  of  the  stall.  The  front  of  the  rack  should 
be  perpendicular,  and  the  back  so  inclined  that  the  hay  will 
all  the  time  be  in  the  horse's  reach.  Recesses  afford  the  best 
opportunity  for  properly  constructed  racks.  If  the  rack  is 
much  slanting,  it  is  difficult  for  the  horse  to  get  the  hay,  and 
the  eyes  are  more  exposed  to  getting  hay-seed  in  them.     The 


334  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

lower  edge  of  the  rack  should  be  about  eighteen  inches  above 
the  top  of  the  manger.  A  rack  that  will  hold  twelve  or  fifteen 
jDounds  of  hay  is  large  enough.  The  rack  may  be  filled  from 
an  opening  from  the  loft  above,  or  it  may  be  placed  so  as  to  be 
filled  from  below.  The  rack  may  be  made  of  wood  or  iron. 
It  should  be  well  secured,  so  as  not  to  be  dragged  down  by  the 
horse. 

The  gangway  behind  the  stalls  need  not  be  more  than  seven 
or  eight  feet  wide,  which  would  give  the  width  of  the  stable 
about  sixteen  and  a  half  or  seventeen  feet,  inside  measure.  If 
several  horses  are  to  be  kept  in  the  stable,  it  should  be  a  foot  or 
two  wider,  and  particularly  if  boxes  or  chests  for  holding  feed 
are  kept  below,  in  the  gangway. 

The  doors  should  be  strong  and  wide  enough  for  the  horses 
to  pass  out  without  striking  the  door-posts.  The  doors  may  be 
all  in  one  piece,  or,  what  is  better,  in  panels,  so  that  the  upper 
part  of  the  door  maybe  left  open,  and  the  lower  part  shut. 
A  catch,  or  latch,  should  be  so  fixed  as  to  hold  the  upper  panel 
of  the  door  when  it  is  opened.  There  should  be  two  doors, 
one  at  each  end  of  the  gangway.  This  afi'ords  a  good  oppor- 
tunity for  airing  the  stable. 

The  windows  should  be  so  placed  as  to  admit  light  enough 
that  the  ordinary  work  in  the  stable  may  be  done  without 
opening  the  doors.  They  are  generally  placed  along  the  side 
opposite  the  stalls.  They  should  have  shutters  so  that  the 
stable  may  be  darkened  if  necessary,  which  is  often  the  case 
when  the  horses  require  sleep  in  the  day-time.  It  is  often  said 
that  enough  air  enters  the  stable  through  the  cracks  in  the 
doors  and  other  apertures;  but  this  is  not  the  case  if  the  stable 
is  tight  enough  to  be  sufficiently  warm  in  the  colder  weather. 
In  summer  a  door  or  window  may  be  left  open,  if  there  is  no 
danger  of  ill-disposed  persons;  but  an  arrangement  should  be 
made  to  admit  fresh  air  at  all  times.  This  should  be  admitted 
close  to  the  horses'  heads,  and  close  to  the  floor,  but  not  so  as 
to  strike  them  in  a  current.     A  long  box,  about  a  foot  square, 


STABLE    OPERATIOJ^S.  335 

extenclino:  from  one  end  of  the  stable  to  the  other,  under  the 
mangers,  and  open  at  each  end  to  admit  air,  and  perforated 
with  holes  in  front  of  each  stall,  will  answer  the  purpose  well. 

It  is  quite  as  important  to  let  the  bad  air  out  as  fresh  air  in. 
To  effect  this,  a  box  should  extend  up  through  the  loft  and  out 
at  the  roof,  like  a  chimney.  Its  open  mouth  should  be  just 
below  the  joists.  It  should  be  about  a  foot  square,  and  cov- 
ered at  the  top,  to  prevent  rain  and  snow  from  falling  through 
it.  One  of  these  should  be  placed  over  each  stall.  The  im- 
pure air  rises  to  the  upper  part  of  a  room ;  hence  the  propriety 
of  having  openings  above  for  it  to  pass  out. 

The  upper  chamber  of  the  stable  or  hay-loft  may  be  of  any 
size  the  owner  may  deem  necessary.  It  may  only  have  room 
for  hay,  or  it  may  be  arranged  for  containing  straw,  grain,  bran- 
chest,  and  cutting-room.  It  is  not  necessary  that  it  should  be 
so  close  as  the  lower  story. 

If  the  grain  is  not  kept  in  the  hay-chamber  above,  a  bin  or 
crib  should  be  convenient  to  the  stable.  The  straw  for  bed- 
ding is  often  kept  in  a  vacant  stall. 

I  regard  a  harness-room  as  an  essential  appendage  to  every 
stable.  Harness,  saddles,  brushes,  whips,  etc.,  can  not  be  prop- 
erly taken  care  of  without  it. 

There  should  always  be  an  out-shed  in  which  to  clean  the 
horses. 

A  chamber,  with  a  boiler  for  heating  water,  boiling  roots  and 
grain,  is  an  admirable  convenience.  A  well  of  Avater  is  almost 
a  necessary  in  a  stable.  The  water-bucket  is  at  once  the 
simplest  and  best  for  watering  the  horses. 

By  observing  these  principles,  a  comfortable  stable  of  any 
size  and  almost  any  cost  may  be  constructed,  and  suited  to 
any  American  farmer  or  horseman. 

STABLE  OPERATIONS. 

In  this  article  I  shall  endeavor  to  point  out  those  attentions 
which  the  general  purpose  or  farmer's  horse  should  have,  in 


336  NAVIN   ox   THE   HOESE. 

order  to  preserve  his  health,  secure  his  comfort,  and  render 
him  most  iisefuL  I  shall  not  endeavor  to  describe  the  many 
ojoerations  which  the  regular  groom  is  accustomed  to  perform 
on  the  fine  sporting-horses  or  valuable  stallions.  Few  of  our 
farmers  can  afford  to  keep  even  one  groom  to  attend  their 
horses ;  but  a  small  amount  of  time  can  be  devoted  to  the  horses 
each  day.  Justice  and  humanity  to  the  horse  require  that  he 
should  receive  more  care  than  is  often  bestowed  on  him. 

Bedding  the  Horse. — Straw  is  generally  used  for  this  purpose. 
It  may  be  kept  in  an  empty  stall,  the  loft,  or  any  place  where 
it  can  be  conveniently  reached.  After  the  horse  is  removed 
from  the  stall  in  the  morning,  the  dung  and  wet  straw  should 
be  taken  up  and  throAvn  out  on  the  dung-heap.  The  dry  straw 
may  be  thrown  forw^ard  under  the  manger.  When  the  horse  is 
brought  in  at  night,  the  bed  is  made  down,  using  enough  fresh 
straw,  so  that  wdth  that  left  dry  the  previous  night  a  comfort- 
able bed  from  six  inches  to  a  foot  deep  may  be  spread  for  the 
horse.  This  should  be  spread  even  and  smooth,  so  as  to  leave 
no  lumps  under  the  horse  when  he  lies  down.  Good  bedding 
should  never  be  neglected;  it  takes  but  little  time,  and  is  of 
the  greatest  advantage  to  the  horse.  The  habit  of  letting  the 
horse  lie  on  a  heap  of  dung  from  week  to  week,  or  even  longer, 
is  cruel  and  injurious,  and  has  no  excuse  except  in  ignorance 
or  laziness. 

Grooming  refers  to  those  operations  which  have  for  their 
object  the  cleaning  of  the  horse.  But  the  duties  of  the  groom 
are  generally  made  to  embrace  much  more.  The  farmer  is 
usually  his  own  groom.  The  essential  tools  for  cleaning  the 
horse  are  the  curry-comb,  the  brush,  and  wisp  or  wisps  of  straw? 
Many  others  may  be  used,  as  sponges,  combs,  towels,  skins, 
rubbers,  scissors,  bandages,  pails,  forks,  brooms,  etc. 

Dressing  before  Work. — Before  the  horse  is  harnessed  for  the 
day's  work,  he  should  receive  such  a  dressing  as  will  clear  the 
coat  of  any  dust  or  dandruff  in  it,  and  excite  the  skin  to  a 
pleasant  glow,  so  that  the  insensible  perspiration  will  go  on 


STABLE   OPEEA.TIONS.  337 

freely  during  the  day.  This  is  effected  almost  entirely  with 
the  brush,  which  is  taken  in  one  hand,  the  curry-comb  being 
held  in  the  other.  The  face  and  muzzle  are  first  brushed,  and 
then  the  neck,  shoulders,  body,  and  quarters,  and  then  the  legs. 
The  brush  is  frequently  brought  across  the  teeth  of  the  curry- 
comb to  clean  it  of  dust.  The  brushing  should  be  continued 
until  the  coat  is  perfectly  clean.  The  legs  should  receive  par- 
ticular attention,  and  always  a  good  hand-rubbing  or  rubbing 
with  fine  straw.  The  mane  and  tail  may  be  carefully  untan- 
gled and  brushed,  or  combed  with  a  coarse  horn-comb,  used  for 
that  purpose.  A  wisp  of  straw  may  last  be  used  to  polish  the 
surface. 

Dressing  after  Work. — During  the  day's  labor  the  horse  may 
sweat  frequently,  and  the  hair  become  much  stuck  together  by 
the  sweat,  dust,  and  dandruif,  or  he  may  become  very  muddy, 
especially  his  legs.  In  this  case,  the  operation  of  cleaning  is 
more  laborious,  and  should  be  performed  as  soon  as  the  horse 
is  brought  in,  or  as  soon  as  he  is  cooled,  if  he  has  been  very  hot. 

The  use  of  the  curry-comb  is  not  so  much  for  cleaning  as  for 
scraping  the  dust  out  of  the  brush  at  every  stroke  or  two.     It 
may  be  used  when  the  hair  is  stuck  together  by  sweat  and 
dust,  to  raise  and  separate  the  hair  and   prepare  it  for  the 
brush,  and  for  loosening  dried  dirt;  but  on  the  legs  it  must, 
be  used  very  gently  for  this  purpose.     The  brush  is   to   be^ 
chiefly  relied  upon  for  cleaning  the  dry  horse,  but  hand-rub- 
bing the  legs,  face,  head,  and  ears  must  not  be  neglected.     If' 
a  horse  is  brought  in,  in  a  "lather  of  perspiration,"  and  hot,, 
he  should  be  walked  until  cool,  before  being  put  in  the  stable.- 
The  sweat  may  then  be  scraped  off,  and  the  horse  rubbed  with, 
wisps  of  straw  until  dry.     This  exercising  and  rubbing  pre- 
vents him  from  taking  cold.     The  legs,  especially,  should  be 
well  dried. 

If  the  horse  is  very  muddy,  he  is  often  washed  to  take  oflf 
the  mud.     Some  ride  him  into  a   stream  for  this  purpose- 
Others  use  a  sponge  and  washing-brush.     Many  are  much 
22 


338  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

opposed  to  washing  the  mud  off  the  horse  at  all ;  but  it  is  cer- 
tain most  persons  will  do  it  despite  all  arguments  against  the 
practice.  I  can  see  but  little  danger  in  washing,  if  it  is  prop- 
erly done.  I  can  see  no  more  danger  from  moving  a  horse 
briskly  for  a  few  seconds,  or,  at  most,  one  minute,  in  a  stream 
of  water,  than  from  riding  him  for  one  or  more  hours  through 
the  cold  mud  and  slush,  where  it  is  dashed  against  his  legs 
and  belly  at  every  step.  The  horse  should  not  be  kept  in  the 
water  longer  than  the  time  above  referred  to,  and  should  be 
moved  briskly  in  it.  He  should  then  be  moved  around  for 
.some  time  on  dry  ground,  and  then  have  the  parts  washed 
rubbed  dry.     The  legs  and  belly,  especially,  should  be  well 

'dried. 

To  wash  the  horse,  a  large  sponge,  a  washing-brush,  and  a 
'bucket  of  water  are  necessary.  The  operation  should  be  done 
•very  quick,  not  exceeding  two  or  three  minutes.  The  water 
.should  be  slightly  warmed.  The  horse  should  be  exercised 
.and  rubbed,  or  rubbed  dry,  as  above  described. 

When  a  horse  is  brought  in  out  of  the  rain,  all  wet  and 
imuddy,  if  he  is  immediately  sponged  off  all  over,  and  rubbed 
dry,  or  nearly  so,  and  then  blanketed,  and  his  legs  dried,  I 
^scarcely  think  any  harm  can  result  from  the  operation,  espe- 
cially if  his  stable  is  warm  and  he  has  a  good  litter  to  stand 
in,  and  if  the  water  has  been  slightly  warmed. 

The  principle  to  be  kept  in  view  is  to  so  manage  the  clean- 
ing and  drying  of  the  wet,  or  muddy,  or  sweating  horse  as  not 
to  chill  his  general  system  or  any  part  of  his  body,  as  the  feet, 
legs,  or  belly.  Such  chilling  may  bring  on  founder,  lung-fever, 
:,pleurisy,  cold,  bronchitis,  grease,  scratches,  etc.  The  danger 
is  very  considerable. 

The  horse  should  never  be  stabled  while  very  warm;  he 

should  be  kept  moderately  exercised  until  cooled — best  told 

by  noticing  if  the  pulse  is  down  to  forty  beats  per  minute. 

The  heat  of  the  skin  may  show  with  sufficient  accuracy. 

Attentions  to  the  Feet.— The  shoes  should  be  frequently  ex- 


PREPARATION   FOR  A   RACE.  339 

amined  to  see  that  they  are  all  right.  The  feet  should  be 
examined  every  night  to  see  that  no  gravel  or  sand  is  insinu- 
ated under  the  shoe  so  as  to  bruise  the  sole. 

Stopping  the  Feet  consists  in  applying  some  moist  matter  to 
the  sole  to  keep  it  soft  and  elastic.  Only  the  fore-feet  are- 
stopped.  The  common  stopping  is  either  cow-dung  or  clay,  or 
a  mixture  of  both.  Other  substances  are  used.  If  the  sole  is 
dry  and  stiff,  the  feet  may  be  stopped  from  one  to  three  nights 
during  the  Aveek.  The  condition  of  the  sole  is  the  only  rule. 
Farm-horses  generally  require  no  stopping.  It  would  be  well 
to  stop  the  feet  the  night  before  the  horse  is  to  be  shod. 

Oiling  the  Hoof  is  generally  a  useless  practice.  It  does  no 
permanent  good  even  to  the  brittle  hoof.  (For  a  further  con- 
sideration of  the  feet,  see  the  article  on  the  "Horse's  Foot.") 

PREPARATION  FOR  A  RACE. 

To  show  the  reader  the  amount  of  attention  it  is  necessary 
to  give  a  horse  to  develop  his  highest  powers,  I  will  give  the 
proper  method  of  preparing  a  horse  for  a  race.  Similar 
preparation,  in  some  respects,  may  be  necessary  for  horses 
designed  for  other  severe  service.  The  principles  involved 
in  the  preparation  for  a  race  are  valuable  to  those  prepar- 
ins:  horses  for  fairs  and  exhibitions. 

About  three  or  four  weeks  before  the  horse  is  to  be  put 
on  the  track,  (four,  if  he  is  taken  off  grass,  or  three,  if  off 
dry  feed,  will  answer,  but  four  weeks  is  preferable  in  either 
case),  six  quarts  of  blood  should  be  taken  from  the  neck- 
vein,  and,  two  days  after,  a  thorough  physic  must  be  given. 
The  object  is  to  relax  his  system,  cleanse  the  alimentary  canal 
from  any  dregs  of  his  former  feeding,  and  prevent  the  liability 
of  his  new  course  of  feeding  and  treatment  from  disagreeing 
with  him,  which  it  will  be  very  likely  to  do  if  these  measures 
are  omitted.  His  exercise  must  not  be  commenced  until  this 
has  been  done. 

Good,  clean   timothy  hay,  having  first  thrashed  it  with  a 


340  NAVIN   ox   THE    HORSE. 

flail  to  remove  any  dust,  (some  strip  off  the  blade,  but  this  is 
unnecessary),  and  good,  sound  oats,  Avell  filled,  will  be  found 
the  best  feed  that  can  be  used.  The  oats  should  be  run 
through  a  mill  to  rip  oif  the  points  of  the  hulls,  and  then 
through  a  fan-mill,  so  that  no  dust  be  fed.  Indeed,  every 
article  given  the  horse  should  be  carefully  freed  from  dust. 
If  good  oats  can  not  be  procured,  hominy,  or  dry  corn  with 
the  shell  beaten  oif,  may  be  used  as  a  substitute.  Of  this  kind 
of  food,  eight  pounds  of  hay  and  twelve  pounds  of  oats,  or  an 
equal  quantity  of  corn,  should  be  given  every  twenty-four  hours.  ' 
This  should  be  given  in  four  or  five  feeds.  Much  care  must 
be  taken,  in  watering  him,  that  he  do  not  drink  to  surfeit  at  any 
time.  As  a  general  thing,  he  should  be  allowed  about  two 
quarts  of  water  one  hour  after  each  feeding.  The  second 
week  it  may  be  necessary  to  increase  his  feed  a  little ;  but  of 
this  the  groom  must  be  the  judge.  Nine-tenths  of  the  race 
stock  will  not  require  any  increase  of  the  first  allowance.  The 
English  cavalry  horse  is  allowed  six  pounds  of  hay  and  ten 
of  oats,  or  four  of  hay  and  twelve  of  oats.  On  these  al- 
low^ances  he  keeps  in  good  condition. 

After  the  horse  has  recovered  from  the  effect  of  the  bleed- 
aijj;,  ne  must  be  sweat,  by  exercise,  to  harden  his  flesh  and 
"  maive  nis  wind,"  as  tns  grooms  term  it.  To  do  this,  the 
^room  will  taKe  mm,  early  every  morning,  and  course  him 
inni  tne  iweat  runs  off  profusely,  at  first  putting  on  three 
.">r  four  ciorsf»-oovers,  or  blankets,  and  for  the  first  few  days 
allowing  him  to  canter  slowly,  but  continuing  until  the  sweat 
rolls  off  freely,  being  careful,  how^evcr,  to  allow  him  to  stop 
often  to  "  make  his  wind,"  particularly  for  the  first  week. 
The  next  w^eek  take  off  part  of  his  blankets  and  run  him 
faster.  After  this  the  rest  of  the  blankets  are  to  be  taken  off 
while  at  exercise.  This  course  must  not  be  continued  up  to 
the  day  fixed  for  the  race,  lest  he  should  be  too  weak.  But  his 
flesh  must  be  reduced,  if  he  is  expected  to  stand  his  work. 
Man  or  beast,  to  endure  extraordinary  labor,  must  haA^e  vigor 


PREPARATION    FOR   A    RACE.  341 

ous  exercise  to  brace  his  nerves.  When  the  horse  is  taken  in 
after  a  sweat,  he  must  not  be  fed  until  he  is  cool.  The  sweat 
must  be  rapidly  scraped  off  him  with  a  regular  sweat-knife, 
or  a  dull  case-knife  will  answer ;  he  must  then  be  rubbed  per- 
fectly dry  with  cloths,  of  which  plenty  should  always  be  at 
hand,  or  with  straw.  He  must  be  rubbed  until  no  dampness 
is  left.  After  this  his  stable-blanket  is  to  be  put  on,  and  his 
legs  thoroughly  rubbed  down,  finishing  with  the  dry  hand,  and 
rubbing  until  considerable  warmth  is  felt.  Every  morning 
and  evening  his  cords  and  joints  especially  should  be  rubbed. 
His  hoofs  should  be  scraped  every  night  and  stuffed  with  cow- 
dung,  to  keep  them  cool  and  promote  their  elasticity.  After 
this,  bed  him  down  for  the  night  with  good,  clean  straw.  By 
this  treatment  you  will  harden  his  flesh  and  "  make  his  wind," 
without  which  no  horse  can  be  reasonably  expected  to  excel 
on  the  turf.  If  carrots  can  be  ^^rocured,  the  horse  should  have 
three  or  four  per  day ;  nothing  is  better  for  the  wind. 

If  a  horse  is  badly  prepared,  there  is  danger  of  rupturing 
important  blood-vessels  when  put  to  his  best.  A  few  years 
since  I  knew  a  gentleman  to  employ  a  quack  veterinary  to 
prej^are  a  horse  for  a  three-mile-and-a-half  race.  The  same 
fellow  was  also  to  ride  him.  Just  before  starting,  a  veterinary 
told  him  the  horse  was  not  well  prepared.  The  former  replied 
that  he  prepared  him  himself,  and  that  he  understood  his 
business  better  than  the  latter.  Both  staked  their  reputation 
on  their  opinions.  Seven  horses  started,  and  this  one  took 
the  lead  for  the  first  mile  and  a  half,  and  would  have  won  if 
properly  prepared,  but  at  two  miles  he  commenced  falling  off, 
and  at  two  and  a  half  fell.  The  rider  attempted  to  bleed  him, 
but  could  draw  no  blood.  The  veterinary  told  him  to  "bleed  in 
the  belly."  The  horse  was  opened,  and  his  blood  was  found 
to  have  been  poured  out  in  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen.  If  a 
horse  which  has  been  badly  prepared  do  not  die  from  this 
accident,  he  is  very  likely  to  become  wind-broken. 


342 


NAVIN  0:S   THE   HORSE. 


VIEW  OF  THE  HORSE,  SHOWING    SEATS  OF  DISEASE. 


A,  The  seat  of  Big-head. 

B,  Poll-evil. 

C,  Fistula. 

D,  Blood-spavin. 

I,  Stifle-joint. 
See  pages  168  to  229,  inclusive.       J,  Curb. 


E,  Bone-spavin. 

F,  F,  F,  F,  Iling-bone. 

G,  Splint. 
11,  Thorough-pin. 


DIVISION   III. 


BO>EIS     itfUSCLES— LIGAMENTS— DIGESTIVE   ORGANS— BLOOD-VESSELS— LYM- 

PHATICS— RESPIRATORY  ORGANS— BRAIN  AND  NERVOUS 

SYSTEMS— THE  SKIN— THE  AGE— THE  FOOT. 


THE  BONES  OF  THE  HOESE,  OR  SKELETON.* 

The  skeleton,  or  bones,  of  the  animal  constitutes  the  frame- 
work to  which  the  muscles,  tendons,  and  ligaments  are  at- 
tached, or  fastened,  and  which  supports  the  animal  in  his  proper 
form,  and  furnishes  movable  joints  by  which  his  various  move- 
ments are  performed.  The  number  of  bones  in  the  horse's 
skeleton  is  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine.  This  does  not  in- 
clude the  teeth.  Some  bones,  w^hich  in  the  young  animal  are 
separate  pieces,  become  solid  at  maturity,  or  full  growth. 

All  bones,  in  the  first  j)lace,  are  only  a  gristly  substance  the 
shape  of  the  future  bone,  and  which  is  called  cartilage.  The 
true  bone  substance  commences  to  form  or  be  deposited  at  sev- 
eral points  in  the  cartilage  for  each  bone,  and  extends  from 
these  points  until  those  for  each  bone  meet,  and  the  bone  be- 
comes solid  throughout  its  whole  length  or  breadth.  The  car- 
tilage is  a  very  elastic  substance,  capable  of  being  bent  very 
much,  and  if  too  much  weight  is  thrown  on  it  before  the  bone 
is  completely  formed,  its  shape  may  be  permanently  changed, 
and  the  bone  become  crooked  or  deformed.  From  this  it  will 
be  seen  that  if  the  colt  is  worked  hard  before  the  bones  are 
completely  hardened,  or  ossified,  as  it  is  termed,  sway-back, 

*See  illustration  on  page  171. 

(343) 


344  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

crooked  legs,  and  interfering  will  be  the  result.  While  the 
bones  are  becoming  ossified  the  animal  is  capable  of  bearing 
its  own  weight  without  injury,  and  but  little  more. 

Bones  are  divided,  for  the  purpose  of  description,  into  three 
general  classes,  namely,  long  bones,  short  or  thick  bones,  and 
broad  or  flat  bones.  The  long  bones  have  a  smooth  middle 
part,  or  shaft,  and  two  heads.  They  embrace  nearly  all  the 
bones  of  the  limbs.  Their  use  is  to  give  support  to  the  horse 
when  on  his  feet,  and  they  are  the  levers  by  which  his  body  is 
carried  forward.  They  have  many  ridges,  prominences,  or 
lumps,  and  rough  places,  to  which  ligaments  and  tendons  of 
muscles  are  attached.  They  admit  of  very  great  motion  at 
their  joints,  some  joints  moving  in  several  directions  and  some 
only  backward  and  forward. 

The  thick  bones  are  very  irregular  in  their  shape ;  indeed, 
they  are  of  almost  every  shape,  and  the  most  of  them  are  quite 
rough  in  their  appearance.  Some  of  them  have  large  projec- 
tions for  the  attachment  of  muscles,  and  many  prominences 
and  rough  i^laces  for  the  same  purpose.  They  also  have,  gen- 
erally, several  surfaces  or  faces  for  articulating,  or  joining,  with 
other  bones.  Their  joints  do  not  generally  admit  of  much  mo- 
tion. The  eight  bones  composing  the  knee  are  of  this  class, 
and  the  motion  of  all  taken  together  gives  considerable  extent 
of  forward  and  backward  motion  to  that  joint. 

The  flat  or  broad  bones  are  quite  well  described  by  their 
name.  Some  of  them  are  very  large  and  broad,  and  of  con- 
siderable thickness,  while  others  are  mere  scales,  and  quite 
small.  The  bones  of  the  head  generally  belong  to  this  class ; 
also  those  called  the  haunch-bones,  and  the  breast-bone,  or 
sternum,  and  the  ribs.  Their  uses  are  to  protect  hollow  cavi- 
ties and  furnish  extensive  surfaces  for  the  attachment,  or  fast- 
ening, of  muscles.  They  unite  with  each  other  by  immovable 
joints,  or  sutures.  Some  of  them  have  places  where  other 
bones  unite  with  them  by  movable  joints. 

Before  proceeding  further  it  will  be  proper  to  observe  that 


THE   BONES   OF   THE   HOKSE.  345 

the  free  surface  of  all  bones — that  is,  where  they  are  not  in  con- 
tact with  other  bones  to  form  joints — is  covered  by  an  exceed- 
ingly tough,  thin  membrane,  somewhat  resembling  the  inner 
skin  of  an  egg.  This  covering  is  called  the  periosteum.  It 
adds  greatly  to  the  strength  of  the  bone,  furnishes  it  protection 
from  injury  by  blows  or  kicks,  and  furnishes  a  bed  for  the 
blood-vessels  and  nerves  which  supply  the  bone.  It  is  a  very 
important  substance. 

The  bone  itself  is  composed  of  a  dense,  hard  outside,  and  a 
softer,  spongy  inside,  or  pithlike  structure,  which  is  filled  with 
the  marrow,  or  medullary  substance.  The  larger  ends  of  the 
bones  are  not  so  dense  and  hard  as  the  middle  parts,  particu- 
larly of  the  long  bones. 

Bones  are  composed  of  a  mesh-work  of  a  tough  animal  sub- 
stance, which  is  filled  in  with  the  true  bone  matter,  and  which 
is  principally  composed  of  lime.  If  the  bone  part  is  dissolved 
away,  there  wdll  still  be  left  the  shape  of  the  bone,  of  a  honey- 
comb-feeling substance,  which  may  easily  be  crushed  by  the 
hand.  On  the  contrary,  the  animal  part  of  the  bone  may  be 
dissolved  away  and  the  true  bone  part  left,  very  hard,  and 
brittle  as  a  piece  of  limestone. 

The  joints,  or  articulations,  of  the  bones  deserve  some  atten- 
tion. It  will  be  sufficiently  accurate  for  the  purposes  of  this 
work  to  consider  the  articulations  of  the  bones  under  three  dif- 
ferent classes,  namely,  the  movable  joints,  the  cartilage-joints, 
and  the  fixed,  or  immovable,  joints. 

The  movable  joints,  or  first  class,  embrace  the  ball  and  socket- 
joints  and  the  hinge-like  joints.  They  admit  of  extensive  mo- 
tion in  the  bones  thus  united.  These  joints  are  held  in  place 
by  many  strong  elastic  straps  and  bands,  called  ligaments. 
They  are  the  joints  most  likely  to  be  sprained  or  thrown  out 
of  place.  For  this  reason  they  will  be  more  carefully  described 
when  speaking  of  the  particular  bones  forming  the  diiferent 
joints  of  this  class.  The  joints  of  the  limbs  generally  be- 
long to  this  class.     The  ends  of  the  bones  in  these  joints  are 


346  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

not  in  immedicate  contact,  or  touching  each  other,  being  lined 
by  the  synovial  membrane,  which  secretes  the  joint-oil,  thus 
allowing  perfect  freedom  of  motion  in  the  joint. 

The  cartilage-joints,  or  second  class  of  articulations,  are  united 
by  a  tough,  glistening,  elastic  cartilage,  firmly  fixed  between  the 
bones  it  unites.  The  bones  are  also  more  firmly  secured  by 
straps  of  ligament.  This  kind  of  joint  admits  of  some  degree 
of  motion,  as  the  cartilage  is  very  elastic.  Examples  of  this 
kind  of  articulation  are  found  in  the  joints  of  the  back-bone,  or 
spine.  Some  of  these  joints  are  liable  to  be  sprained  or  even 
torn  apart,  and  the  injury  is  very  serious  and  difficult  to 
remedy. 

The  fixed  or  immovable  joints,  or  third  class,  are  united  by 
sutures,  there  being  no  other  substance  between  the  parts 
united.  Some  are  held  together  by  a  tooth-like  arrangement; 
others  by  a  projection  or  dowel-pin  sort  of  fixture ;  others  by 
a  beveling  of  both  plates  of  bone,  the  one  overlapping  the 
other ;  and  others  by  a  general  roughness  of  the  parts  united. 
These  joints  do  not  admit  of  any  motion.  Many  of  them  are 
not  united  until  the  animal  is  grown,  and  in  later  life  some  of 
them  become  entirely  obliterated  and  the  bones  united  as  if  all 
one  bone.  They  are  seldom  the  seat  of  injury.  The  bones  of 
the  head  and  haunch-bones,  or  pelvis,  are  united  by  this  kind 
of  suture. 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  describe  the  particular  bones  of  the 
different  parts  of  the  skeleton,  giving  only  such  descriptions  as 
will  be  necessary  to  understand  the  nature  of  the  various  in- 
juries to  which  they  are  liable.  Bones  and  joints  not  liable 
to  disease  or  injury  will  receive  but  a  passing  notice,  while 
those  which  are  the  seats  of  disease  or  injury  will  be  described 
with  more  care. 

BONES  OF  THE  HEAD. 

These  embrace  the  bones  of  the  cranium,  or  skull,  and  face. 
The  hones  of  the  cranium  are  ten  in  number,  and  they  form  the 


BONES   OF   THE   HEAD.  347 

cavity  in  which  the  brain  lies.  They  are  flat  bones,  united 
by  immovable  or  fixed  sutures.  They  protect  the  brain,  and 
give,  by  their  outward  appearance,  a  pretty  accurate  idea  of 
its  shape.  It  is  on  the  shape  and  size  of  these  bones,  together 
with  those  of  the  face,  that  the  beauty  of  the  head  depends. 
And  this  beauty  of  the  head  is  generally  connected  with  ex- 
alted and  noble  spirit,  for  the  reason  that  the  brain  is  the 
seat  and  center  of  life  and  spirit,  and  the  brain  gives  shape  to 
the  head.  The  bones  are  made  to  suit  the  shape  of  the  brain ; 
the  brain  first  existed,  and  the  bones  were  formed  after- 
ward. The  names  of  these  bones  are,  the  frontal,  two  parie- 
tal, four  temporal,  the  ethmoid,  the  sphenoid,  and  the  occij)- 
ital  bones. 

The  frontal,  or  forehead,  Jowe  is  a  broad,  flat  bone  which  occu- 
pies the  forward  and  upper  part  of  the  skull,  known  as  the 
forehead,  lying  above  the  eyes. 

The  parietal  hones  occuj^y  the  upper  portion  of  the  cranium, 
above  and  between  the  ears.  The  suture  or  division  between 
these  two  bones  becomes  completely  ossified  in  older  age  in 
the  horse,  so  that  they  form  one  bone. 

The  temporal  bones  are  two  on  each  side.  They  occupy  the 
region  known  as  the  temples.  They  are  quite  thin  in  part  of 
their  extent,  and  thick  and  irregular  in  other  parts. 

The  ethmoid  hone  is  very  irregular  in  its  shape,  somewhat 
resembling  a  bat  with  its  wings  spread  and  turned  up.  It 
occupies  the  under  and  forward  portion  of  the  skull,  and 
assists  to  form  the  cavity  of  the  cranium  and  also  the  cavities 
of  the  nose. 

The  sphenoid  hone,  ox  wedge-bone,  occupies  the  lower  or 
under  part  of  the  skull,  extending  across  from  one  temporal 
bone  to  the  other. 

The  occipital  hone  occupies  the  back  part  of  the  skull.  It  is 
a  large  and  strong  bone.  It  gives  attachment  to  the  first  bone 
of  the  spine,  called  the  atlas.  It  has  a  large  hole  through  its 
under  and  backward  portion,  through  which  the  spinal  cord, 


348  NAVIN   ON   THE    HOESE. 

commonly  but  improperly  called  the  spinal  marrow,  passes 
out  from  the  brain. 

The  hones  of  the  face  are  eighteen  in  number.  They  are 
named:  nasal,  or  nose-bones,  two;  superior  maxillary,  or  jaw- 
bones, two;  anterior  maxillary,  or  jaw-bones,  two;  malar 
bones,  two;  lachrymal,  or  tear-bones,  two;  palate-bones, 
two;  turbinated  bones,  four;  vomer,  one;  lower  jaw,  or  infe- 
rior maxillary  bone,  one.  I  shall  describe  these  bones  some- 
what together.  First,  those  composing  the  orbit,  or  socket,  of 
the  eye ;  second,  those  composing  the  cavity  of  the  nose ; 
third,  those  composing  the  cavity  of  the  mouth. 

The  orbit,  or  socket,  of  the  eye  is  a  deep  cavity  formed  by  the 
union  of  the  malar  hone  on  the  forward  and  external  part,  the 
lachrymal,  or  tear-bone,  forming  the  base,  or  bottom,  of  the 
orbit,  the  other  portions  of  the  orbit  being  formed  by  parts  of 
the  frontal  and  ethmoid  bones. 

The  cavity  of  the  nose  is  formed  by  the  nasal  hones,  which  con- 
stitute its  forward  and  side  walls,  the  cavities  being  separated 
by  the  vomer  into  two  chambers,  the  vomer  standing  as  a  sort 
of  pier  under  the  bridge  of  the  nose.  The  turhinated  hones 
occupy  the  back  part  of  the  cavity  of  the  nose,  on  each  side, 
one  above  and  one  below.  They  are  chiefly  composed  of 
scroll-like  scales,  and  present  something  of  a  honey-comb 
appearance,  being  traversed  by  many  grooves  and  cavities. 
The  back  outlet  or  passage  into  the  mouth  of  the  cavity  of 
the  nose  is  formed  by  the  palate-hones,  the  anterior  maxil- 
lary bones  forming  the  base  of  the  nasal  cavity  in  front. 

The  cavity  of  the  mouth  is  formed  by  the  imlate-hones,  which 
constitute  the  roof  of  the  mouth.  The  superior^  or  upper,  max- 
illary hones  form  the  upper  portion  of  the  sides  of  the  cavity 
of  the  mouth.  They  unite  with  the  temporal,  the  tear,  the 
nasal,  the  palate,  the  malar,  the  inferior  turbinated,  and  the 
anterior  maxillary  bones.  Each  superior  maxillary  hone  holds 
six  of  the  jaw-teeth,  or  grinders.  The  anterior,  or  forward j 
maxillary  hones  form  the  forward  part  of  the  upjDcr  portion  of 


BOXES    OF    THE    SPINE,    OR   A^ERTEBR.E.  349 

J) 

the  cavity  of  the  mouth.  They  unite  with  each  other  at  the 
middle  of  the  upper  lip,  and  with  the  superior  maxillary  bones 
where  the  tushes  rise.  They  hold  the  six  upper  incisors,  or 
cutting  teeth. 

The  lower  javj,  or  inferior  maxillary,  bone  constitutes  the  walls 
of  the  lower  part  of  the  cavity  of  the  mouth.  It  is  a  very 
large  bone,  having  two  sides  exactly  alike,  and  which,  at  an 
early  period,  are  not  solid  at  the  point  of  the  chin.  It  articu- 
lates, or  joins,  to  the  bones  of  the  skull  by  a  movable  hinge- 
joint.  It  receives  the  six  lower  grinders  on  each  side,  the  two 
tushes,  and  the  six  lower  incisors.  T^o  bone  in  the  skeleton 
has  so  much  to  do  with  the  beauty  of  the  animal  as  this.  If 
the  lower  jaw  is  not  perfect,  but  large  and  clumsy,  we  at  once 
infer  coarse  stock  in  the  horse. 

BONES  OF  THE  SPINE,  OR  VERTEBRAE. 

The  spine,  or  back-bone,  is  composed  of  thirty-one  pieces  or 
distinct  bones,  united  together  by  tough,  elastic  cartilage,  situ- 
ated between  the  different  pieces,  which  are  still  more  firmly 
bound  together  by  many  straps  of  ligament.  These  bones  are 
called  vertebrae.  There  are  seven  of  the  neck,  called  cervical 
vertebrae;  eighteen  of  the  back,  called  dorsal  vertebrae;  six  of 
the  loins,  called  lumbar  vertebrae.  A  large  canal  or  hole 
passes  through  all  the  vertebrae,  and  terminates  in  the  sacrum, 
or  rump-bone.  It  is  filled  by  the  spinal  cord,  commonly 
called  the  spinal  marrow. 

The  cervical  vertehrce  have  a  body  and  three  projections,  or 
processes,  one  process  standing  out  from  each  side,  and  one  from 
the  upper  side,  called  the  superior  spinous  process.  The  atlas, 
or  first  cervical  vertebra,  has  no  body  nor  superior  spinous 
processes,  but  the  transverse  processes  are  very  broad.  The 
second  is  called  the  dentata,  or  tooth -like  vertebra,  because  it 
has  a  tooth-like  projection  which  unites  it  with  the  atlas.  The 
other  bones  of  the  neck  are  very  much  alike.  The  bones  of 
the   neck  admit  of  very  great  motion,  and    are  worked  by 


350  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

powerful  muscles.     Nothing  adds  more  to  the  lofty  appear- 
ance of  the  horse  than  a  well-formed,  properly-arched  neck. 

The  dorsal  vertehrce,  or  those  of  the  back,  are  eighteen  in 
number.  Like  the  vertebrae  of  the  neck,  they  have  lateral 
or  side  processes,  and  superior  or  spinous  processes.  The 
latter  are  very  long,  and  particularly  so  where  they  form  the 
elevation  called  the  withere.  It  is  to  these  vertebrae  that 
the  ribs  are  attached  at  what  are  called  the  articulating  sur- 
faces. 

The  lumbar  vertehrw  occupy  the  region  of  the  loins,  or  small 
of  the  back ;  they  are  six  in  number.  They  are  larger  and 
heavier  than  the  others,  and  have  heavier  but  not  so  long 
spinous  processes.  The  sixth  one  articulates  with  the  sacrum, 
or  rump-bone. 

The  sacrum,  or  rump-bone,  is  a  very  thick,  heavy  bone,  into 
which  the  spinal  canal  enters  and  terminates.  It  is  situated 
between  the  last  vertebra  of  the  loins  and  the  upper  portions 
of  the  two  haunch-bones,  being  firmly  united  with  all  these 
bones.  It  is  very  rough  on  its  upper  surface,  having  five  em- 
inences in  line  with,  and  corresponding  to,  the  superior  spinous 
process  of  the  true  vertebra.  To  the  side,  and  between  these 
eminences  on  each  side,  are  four  holes,  through  which  the 
terminating  branches  of  the  spinal  cord  pass  out.  The  under 
side  of  the  bone  is  quite  smooth. 

The  bones  of  the  tail  are  fifteen  in  number.  They  are  nearly 
round,  and  gradually  decrease  in  size  from  the  first  until  the 
last.  They  are  united  by  their  flat  ends  to  each  other,  and 
the  first  to  the  sacrum  by  very  clastic,  fibrous  cartiL^ge  and 
ligaments.  They  admit  of  very  great  freedom  of  motion,  as  a 
sweep  of  the  horse's  tail  in  fly-time  will  show. 

BONES  OF  THE  CHEST. 

The  bones  of  the  chest  are  the  sternum,  or  breast-bone,  and 
ribs.  The  sternum  is  a  single  bone  in  the  mature  horse,  and 
the  ribs  are  thirty-six  in  number,  so  that  the  number  of  bones 


HAUNCH-BO x\ES,    OR    PELVIS.  351 

of  the  chest  is  thirty-seven.  The  dorsal  vertebrae  also  form  the 
upper  part  of  the  chest,  or  thorax. 

The  breast-hone,  or  sternum,  occupies  the  forward  and  under 
part  of  the  chest.  It  is  a  flat  bone,  each  end  of  which  term- 
inates in  a  cartilage.  It  gives  attachment  to  the  lower,  or  car- 
tilaginous, ends  of  the  eight  true  ribs.  Many  strong  muscles 
are  also  attached  to  it. 

The  ribs  are  thirty-six  in  number,  eighteen  on  each  side, 
eight  of  which,  on  each  side,  are  called  true  ribs,  and  ten,  false 
ribs.  The  ribs  are  long  and  somewhat  flat  bones,  the  forward 
edges  of  which  are  rounded,  and  the  posterior,  or  back,  edges 
sharp.  The  upper  end  of  each  rib  is  called  its  head,  and  im- 
mediately below  the  head  is  a  rounded  smaller  part,  called  the 
neck.  The  lower  ends  of  the  ribs  terminate  in  cartilages, 
which,  in  the  true  ribs,  connect  immediately  w\i\\  the  breast- 
bone. The  cartilages  of  the  false  ribs  are  connected  with  each 
other,  and  with  the  cartilage  of  the  last  true  rib. 

The  ribs  are  curved  in  their  shape,  the  degree  of  curvature 
increasing  from  the  first  until  the  last. 

The  bones  of  the  chest  furnish  protection  to  the  principal 
organs  concerned  in  breathing  and  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
as  the  lungs,  heart,  the  large  arteries,  etc.  Many  of  the  most 
important  and  powerful  muscles  of  the  animal  are  attached  to 
the  bones  of  the  chest.  The  depth,  roundness,  and  capacity  of 
the  chest  is  a  good  index  to  the  capability  of  the  horse  for 
labor  or  exertion.  Without  good  room  for  lungs,  and  good, 
large,  strong  heart,  no  horse  can  possess  those  qualities  of 
strength  and  endurance  which  render  him  a  valuable  servant. 
Such  heart  and  lungs  can  not  exist  in  a  flat,  diminutive  chest. 

HAUNCH-BONES,  OR  PELVIS. 
The  haunch-hones  are  two  in    number,  called,  in  anatomy, 
'' ossa  innominata,''  which  means  unnamed  bones.     Each  bone 
of  the  pelvis  is  attached  to  the  side  of  the  sacrum,  or  rump- 
bone,  by  its  forward  end,  which  is  broad  from  before  backward, 


352  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

and  very  rough  on  its  borders  and  outside.  From  the  sacrum 
the  haunch-bone  extends  backward  and  slightly  downward. 
The  body  of  the  bone  is  narrower  and  smoother  than  the  ends 
of  it.  The  backward  part  of  the  bone  is  very  rough  on  the 
outside,  and  marked  by  a  large,  deep  depression,  or  socket,  in 
which  the  head  of  the  thigh-bone  rests.  Inward  and  slightly 
backward  from  this  depression  a  thick  portion  of  the  bone 
curves,  or  turns  under,  to  meet  a  similar  part  of  its  mate  from 
the  opposite  side,  where  the  two  are  firmly  united.  Backward 
and  upward  from  behind,  where  the  thigh  joins,  is  a  large, 
rough  portion  of  the  haunch-bone  projecting  backward  and  up- 
ward, and  which  forms  the  prominence  of  the  buttock. 

These  bones  form  a  sort  of  basin,  which  the  word  pelvis 
means,  and  contain,  or  rather  support,  the  parts  of  the  bowels 
lying  far  back,  as  the  bladder,  rectum,  etc. 

The  bones  of  the  pelvis  also  furnish  points  of  attachment 
for  many  of  the  muscles  of  the  abdomen,  belly,  hinder  extrem- 
ities, etc.  The  length  and  degree  of  slope  downward  and 
backward  are  important  points  to  be  taken  into  consideration 
in  judging  of  the  qualities  of  the  horse.  Long  pelvic  bones, 
standing  well  back,  give  that  length  of  quarter  which  horse- 
men so  much  admire,  and  which  is  a  most  desirable  quality. 
These  bones,  when  they  project  too  much  downward,  give 
origin  to  drooping  of  the  rump,  a  condition  unfavorable  to  fleet 
action  or  great  strength,  for  the  reason  that  such  a  form  de- 
prives the  muscles  of  the  proper  degree  of  leverage. 

BONES  OF  THE  FORE  EXTREMITIES,  OR  ARMS. 

The  bones  of  each  arm  are  twenty-one  in  number;  conse- 
quently, the  number  of  both  is  forty-two.  They  are  named 
from  above  downward.  The  bones  of  the  shoulder  are,  the 
shoulder-blade,  or  scapula,  and  the  upper  arm-bone,  or  hu- 
merus ;  of  the  fore-arm,  the  radius,  or  large  arm-bone,  and  the 
ulna,  or  smaller  arm-bone ;  of  the  knee,  the  first  row  from  the 
inner  side  outward,  the  scaphoid,  lunar,  and  cuniform;   the 


THE    SHOULDER-BLADE,    OR   SCAPULA.  353 

second  row,  the  pisiform,  trapezoid,  os  magnum,  unciform,  and 
one,  the  trapezium,  lying  behind  the  first  row.  The  bones  of 
the  fore-leg  are  the  shank,  or  cannon-bone,  and  two  splint-bones, 
two  small  bones  at  the  back  part  of  the  pastern-joint  called 
the  sesamoid-bones,  the  pastern-bone,  the  coronet,  or  lower 
pastern-bone,  the  shuttle-bone,  and  the  cofan-bone. 

THE  SHOULDER-BLADE,  OR  SCAPULA. 

Tlie  sJioulder-Uade  is  a  triangular,  or  three-cornered,  bone. 
It  is  attached,  or  fastened,  to  the  forward  part  of  the  side  of 
the  chest  by  muscles  and  ligaments  inserted  into  it,  and  attached 
to  the  bones  of  the  chest,  and  some  of  the  bones  of  the  spine. 
It  is  broad  at  the  top,  and  thick  and  heavy  toward  the  lower 
end,  which  terminates  in  a  shallow,  hollowed  cavit}-,  which  re- 
ceives the  head  of  the  humerus,  the  next  bone  below  it.  Im- 
mediately forward  of  this  cavity  is  a  thick  projection,  called  the 
point  of  the  shoulder.  On  the  outside  of  the  bone,  a  high 
ridge  starts  near  its  upper  edge,  and  runs  downward  toward 
the  thick  neck,  dividing  the  outer  side  into  two  foces.  The 
inner  side  of  the  bone  is  smooth  and  hollowed  out,  the  great 
saw-muscle  being  attached  to  it.  It  stands  obliquely,  or  slant- 
ing, on  the  side  of  the  chest,  the  lower  end  projecting  forward. 

The  degTee  of  obliquity  of  the  shoulder-blade  determines  the- 
slant  of  the  shoulder,  and  is  a  point  of  the  greatest  importance.. 
The  slanting  shoulder  is  the  only  one  suited  to  easy  or  rapid, 
action.     It  is  the  only  one  that  is  capable  of  standing  such.. 
The  upright  shoulder  is  adapted  to  heavy  draught,  where  slow- 
motion    is   required.     It  will  be  readily  understood  why  the- 
slanting  shoulder  is  suited  to  ease  and  quick  action  when  the 
manner  in  which  the  shoulder-blade  and  the  bone  next  below 
it  stand.     In  the  slanting  shoulder  they  form  a  considerable- 
angle,  and  act,  therefore,  like  the  springs  of  a  carriage ;  while 
in  the  upright   shoulder  these   two   bones  are  much  nearer 
on  a  line,  and  the  concussion,  or  jar,  is  but  little  broken  when 
the  weight  of  the  horse  and  his  rider  are  thrown  on  them. 
23 


354  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

The  icpper  arm-hone,  or  humerus,  is  a  rather  short,  thick  and 
heavy  bone,  belonging  to  the  class  of  long  bones,  having  a  body 
and  Uyo  heads.  Its  upper  head  is  large  and  round  and  is  re- 
ceived into  the  cavity  of  the  lower  end  of  the  shoulder-blade. 

Its  lower  head  is  large  and  very  broad,  and  marked  by  a 
deep  o-roove  from  before  backward,  and  which  terminates  be- 
hind  fn  a  deep  pit,  or  excavation.  This  groove  receives  a  cor- 
responding ridge,  running  in  the  same  direction  of  the  head  ot 
the  larger  arm-bone,  or  radius,  the  next  bone  below  it  I  he 
pit  or  excavation,  at  the  back  end  of  the  groove  is  for  the  pro- 
iectino-  portion  of  the  small  arm-bonc,  called  the  elbow,  to  rest 
in  The  humerus  is  marked  by  several  eminences  for  the  at- 
tachment of  muscles,  and  has  attached  to  it  the  principal 
^muscles  engaged  in  sustaining  and  lifting  the  weight  of  the 

'horse 

The  upper  head  of  the  humerus  rests  in  the  shallow  cavity  of 
ithe  shoulder-blade,  and  is  held  in  place  by  a  strong  elastic  liga- 
.ment  surrounding  its  head,  and  fastened  all  around  the  margin 
,of  the  shallow  socket  of  the  shoulder-blade.  This  bone  stands 
in  an  oblique  direction,  downward  and  backward,  from  the 
•shoulder-joint.  In  a  well-formed  horse  this  bone  should  be 
short,  and  incline  well  back.  If  long,  the  shoulder  will  be  too 
■upright,  and  the  weight  of  the  horse  too  far  forward.  But  for 
.heavy  draught  this  objection  is  not  serious. 

The  shoulder-joint  is  seldom  liable  to  dislocation,  but  may 
.suffer  from  bruise,  by  the  horse  plunging  against  a  solid  object. 
The  bone  could  hardly  be  fractured. 

The  arm-bones  are  two  in  number;  the  larger  called  the 
Tadius,  the  smaller  the  ulna.  They  are  distinct  bones,  united 
^by  cartilage  until  advanced  age,  when  the  cartilage  becomes 
•ossified  and  the  two  bones  become  as  one  solid  bone. 

The  radius,  or  larger  arm-bonc,  has  a  long  shaft  or  body, 
•smooth  before  and  rough  behind.  It  has  two  heads,  the  up- 
:per  marked  by  a  high  ridge  from  before  backward,  on  each 
.side  of  which  is  an  excavation,  or  cavity.     The  ridge  fits  into 


BOXES   OF    THE    KXEE.  355 

the  groove  of  the  upper  arm-bone,  and  the  two  cavities  receive 
the  two  divisions  of  its  head.  The  lower  head  of  the  radius 
is  broad,  and  marked  by  two  slight  ridges  running  from  before 
backward  into  three  surfaces,  which  rest  on  the  upper  row  of 
knee-bones. 

Tlie  smaller  arm-hone^  or  nlna,  is  situated  at  the  back  of  the 
radius,  and  has  a  long  head,  projecting  far  above  the  upper 
head  of  the  radius,  forming  the  elbow.  It  extends  only  a  lit- 
tle over  half-way  down  the  radius,  and  terminates  in  a  point. 
The  two  bones  are  united  by  cartilage  in  younger  horses,  but 
they  become  one  solid  bone  in  old  age. 

The  arm  is  the  most  important  part  of  the  horse.  It  is  to 
it,  and  particularly  the  elbow,  that  the  great  muscles  are  at- 
tached, which  act  to  gather  up  the  fore  extremity  and  extend 
it  when  the  horse  is  in  motion.  That  the  horse  may  have 
length  of  stride  and  gather  quick,  it  is  necessary  that  the  arm 
should  be  long,  and  that  the  elbow  particularly  should  be  long. 
It  is  almost  impossible  for  the  elbow  to  be  too  long,  but  very 
common  for  a  horse,  othervrise  well-formed,  to  have  very  poor 
action  solely  on  account  of  it  being  too  short  to  enable  him  to 
gather  well. 

In  addition  to  length  in  the  arm  and  elbow,  full,  swelling 
muscles  are  necessary  to  furnish  the  requisite  power  to  raise 
the  knee,  throw  the  limb  forward,  and  gather  up  with  proper 
quickness.  A  narrow,  flat,  and  short  arm  is  a  defect  for  which 
no  other  quality  can  make  up. 

The  elbow  is  liable  to  be  fractured,  and  it  is  a  serious  mis- 
fortune, but  not  entirely  without  remedy.  The  elbow-joint  is 
sometimes  punctured,  causing  rapid  and  high  inflammation 
in  it. 

BONES  OF  THE  KNEE. 

The  knee  is  composed  of  eight  bones,  arranged  in  two  rows 
from  side  to  side,  and  one  bone  behind  the  others.  The  upper 
row  consists  of  three  bones,  on  wliich  the  lower  head  of  the 


356  NAVm   ON   THE    HORSE. 

arm-bone  rests.  The  second  row  are  four,  similarly  arranged, 
and  support  the  upper  or  first  ro^y,  themselves  restmg  on  the 
upper  heads  of  the  shank  and  splint-bones.  These  bones  cor- 
respond to  the  same  bones  in  the  wrist  of  man,  and  are  united 
by  strong  ligaments,  binding  them  firmly  together.  By  means 
of  these^bones  great  strength  and  free  motion  are  secured;  and 
by  the  several  layers  of  cartilage  lining  each  where  it  is  rested 
on  by,  or  itself  rests  on  the  bone,  and  by  the  sacks  of  synovial 
membrane  and  their  contained  joint-water  separatmg  all  the 
concussion,  or  jar,  which,  but  for  this  arrangement,  would  be 
produced,  is  prevented.  No  union  of  two  bones  would  be  suf- 
ficient  to  save  this  joint  from  destruction.  But  by  this  arrange- 
ment almost  every  other  part  of  the  horse's  limbs  will  suifer 
from  severe  action  before  the  knee.  , 

A  broad  knee  is  an  indication  of  great  strength.^  It  gives 
the  muscles  great  advantage  and  freedom  of  motion.  The 
knee  is  liable  to  the  accident  known  as  hroken-knee. 

BONES  OF  THE  LEG. 

Those  are  three  in  number-the  shanl.,  ^^^^^m^-'^"";:  J" 
front  and  the  two  splint-bones  behind  and  at  the  sides.  They 
correspond  to  the  bines  of  the  hand  in  man,  but  the  s.milanty 
is  not  so  strildng  as  with  other  bones.  ,      .      ^       ,      , 

m  sunk,  or%annon-ione,  is  a  long  bone  having  two  head, 
the  upper  being  flat,  with  depressions  eovrespoiKUng  wi  h  the 
under  side  of  the  lower  row  of  knee-boncs.  The  body  or  sliatt 
"s  ounded  and  smooth  before,  and  flat  behind.  The  lower 
LTh  the  form  of  a  double  pnlley,  a  prominent  ridge  run- 
n  r^frlm  before  backward,  and  two  others,  one  at  each  side. 
Thi°s  one,  thus  marked,  forms,  with  the  head  of  the  pastern- 
bone,  a  p^-fect  hinge-joint,  allowing  of  free  motion  backward 

^"Tl:"^;£i  -  S'small  bones  situated  at  the  sides,  but 
.  toiSfbaek  of  the  cannon-bone.     The  splint-bone  has  one 


BOXES    OF    THE    LEG.  357 

head,  forming  part  of  the  surface  on  which  the  lower  knee- 
bones  rest.  It  extends  one-half,  or  a  little  over,  down  the 
shank,  and  is  attached  to  it  by  cartilage. 

The  sesamoid-bones  are  two  small  bones  placed  at  the  back 
part  of  the  pastern- joint,  and  giving  the  prominence  of  the  fet- 
lock. Their  object  is  to  strengthen  the  joint  and  give  attach- 
ment and  protection  to  the  ligaments  about  the  pastern.  They 
enable  the  tendons  passing  over  the  back  part  of  the  joint  to 
act  with  much  greater  power.  Several  ligaments  are  attached 
to  them.  (For  a  more  full  account  of  their  anatomy  and  uses 
see  the  article  on  "  The  Foot.") 

The  pastern-hone  is  about  one-third  the  length  of  the  shank. 
It  is  somewhat  flat,  being  rounded  and  smooth  before,  and  flat 
and  rough  behind.  Its  upper  head  is  the  larger,  and  is  marked 
by  a  groove  and  two  surfoces  corresponding  with  the  lower  end 
of  the  cannon-bone,  with  which  it  forms  the  pastern-joint.  The 
lower  head  is  the  smaller,  and  convex  or  oval,  and  marked 
from  before  backward  by  a  slight  groove.  It  is  thus  di- 
vided into  two  oval  surfaces  to  articulate  with  the  next  bone 
below  it. 

The  pastern  sets  obliquely  forward.  Its  length  and  the  de- 
gree of  its  slant  differ  very  greatly  in  different  breeds  and 
different  horses.  A  pastern  of  good  length  and  considerable 
obliquity  is  indispensable  to  easy  action.  It  is  the  only  form 
fit  for  the  riding  horse.  It  alone  can  long  endure  quick  action. 
The  more  upright  pastern  can  not  withstand  the  concussion 
of  rapid  action.  The  horse  of  heavy  draught  should  have  a 
more  upright  and  shorter  pastern. 

The  coronet-bone,  or  hwer  ixistern,  is  an  irregularly  square 
bone  situated  below  the  pastern-bone.  It  is  broader  than  long. 
Its  upper  surface,  or  face,  is  hollowed  out  at  each  side  to  articu- 
late with  the  lower  end  of  the  pastern-bone.  It  has  a  consid- 
erable projection  back  of  the  joint  to  which  is  attached  part  of 
the  ligament.  Its  lower  face  is  oval,  to  unite  with  the  coffin 
and  shuttle  bones. 


358  NAVIX   ON   THE   HOESE. 

The  sJmttle,  or  navicular,  lone  has  a  body  and  two  wings.  It 
is  placed  crosswise  at  the  back  of  the  coffin-joint,  which  it  helps 
to  form.  The  perforating  tendon  passes  over  its  body.  The 
lateral  ligaments  are  attached  to  its  extremities,  or  wings. 

The  coffin-bone  is  the  principal  bone  of  the  foot,  being  entirely 
inside  of  it.  It  is  a  broad,  semicircular,  or  rather  half-moon- 
shaped  bone,  being  almost  exactly  the  shape  of  the  foot.  It  is 
the  lower  bone  forming  the  coffin-joint,  the  face  of  the  bone 
looking  upward  and  backward  being  hollowed  out  to  unite 
with  the  lower  end  of  the  lower  pastern-bone.  It  is  not  a  solid 
bone,  but  has  many  holes  in  it,  through  which  blood-vessels 
pass.  The  great,  broad  tendon,  called  the  tendo-perforans,  is 
inserted  into  its  back  and  under  part.  The  sensible  laminae 
are  attached  to  the  convex  or  front  part  of  the  bone,  and  the 
sensitive  sole  lines  its  under  sides. 

BONES   OF    THE    HIND   EXTREMITIES. 

The  number  of  bones  belonging  to  each  hind  extremity,  or 
leg,  is  nineteen ;  to  both,  consequently,  thirty-eight.  They  are 
named  from  above  downward.  The  femur,  or  proper  thigh- 
bone ;  the  stifle-bone,  or  knee-cap,  called  the  patella ;  the  leg- 
bones,  improperly  called  thigh-bones,  named  the  tibia  and 
fibula;  the  hough-bones,  six  in  number,  called  the  os  calcis,  or 
heel-bone ;  the  astragalus,  or  knuckle-bone ;  the  cuboid,  or 
square  bone,  and  the  three  cuniform,  or  wedge-shaped  bones ; 
the  cannon-bone,  and  two  splint-bones ;  the  two  sesamoid 
bones;  the  pastern-bone;  the  coronet-bone,  or  lower  pastern ; 
the  coffin,  or  foot-bone,  and  the  shuttle-bone. 

H\iQ  femur,  or  proper  thigh-bone,  is  the  heaviest  bone  of  the 
horse.  It  has  a  heavy  body  and  two  large  heads,  or  extrem- 
ities. Its  upper  head  may  be  regarded  as  having  two  divi- 
sions. One  is  a  large  round  ball,  resting  in  the  cavity  at  the 
lower  part  of  the  haunch-bone  before  described.  A  large,  rough 
process  of  the  bone  stands  out  behind  this  part.  The  great 
muscles  constituting  the  bulk  of  the  rump  are  attached  to  this 


BOXES  OF  THE  HIXD  EXTREMITIES.  359" 

projection.  The  lower  head  is  broad  and  thick,  to  join  with 
the  next  bones  below  forming  the  stifle-joint.  The  lower  head 
of  the  bone  consists  of  two  prominences,  which  are  received 
into  corresponding  depressions  in  the  head  of  the  next  bone 
below,  and  a  hollow  in  front,  over  which  the  stifle,  or  knee-cap, 
plays  as  over  a  pulley.  At  each  side  of  the  lower  head  is  a 
large  projection,  or  prominence,  called  the  condyles.  They  are 
for  the  attachment  of  muscles.  The  direction  of  this  bone  is 
downward  and  forward.  The  length  of  the  projection  of  this 
bone,  back  and  above  the  hip-joint,  is  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance, for  it  is  the  point  to  which  the  great  muscles,  which  throw 
the  animal  forward,  are  attached.  Its  length  gives  power, 
and  will  be  known  by  the  shape  of  the  quarters,  particularly 
the  degree  of  prominence  at  the  turn  of  the  ham.  The  cup- 
like cavity  in  which  the  round  head  of  ihQ  femur  rests  is  liable 
to  be  fractured.     The  head  may  even  be  thrown  out. 

The  stifle-hone,  knee-cap,  knee-pan,  or  patella,  is  a  bone  cor- 
responding to  the  knee-pan  in  man.  It  is  placed  in  front  of  the 
stifle-joint,  and  is  held  in  place  by  ligaments.  The  tendons  of 
several  important  muscles  are  inserted  into  it.  When  the 
horse  is  at  rest  it  lies  in  a  sort  of  groove  at  the  upper  part  of 
the  joint,  but  when  in  motion,  it  moves  downward  and  upward, 
thus  giving  the  muscles  a  great  advantage  of  action.  It  gives 
great  strength  to  the  stifle-joint,  which  it  helps  to  form. 

The  thigh-bones,  as  they  are  commonly  but  wrongly  called, 
are  two — tlie  tilia  and  flbula.  They  lie  between  the/emwr  and 
the  hough-bones.  They  correspond  to  the  leg-bones  in  man, 
and  it  would  be  more  accurate  to  call  them  leg-bones. 

The  tibia  is  a  long  bone,  having  a  large  upper  head  and  a 
smaller  lower  head.  The  shaft  is  not  round,  but  three-cor- 
nered, the  corner  in  front  being  rounded.  The  uj^per  surface 
of  the  head  is  marked  by  a  sharp  elevation^  from  before  back- 
ward, on  each  side  of  which  is  a  depression  in  which  the  cor- 
responding portions  of  the  thigh  rests.  The  joint  has  forward 
and  backward  motion.     The  lower  head  of  the  tibia  is  marked 


360  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

by  two  deep  grooves,  a  central  ridge  between  tliem,  and 
another  at  each  side.  It  rests  on  the  astragalus,  which  has 
two  elevations  exactly  corresponding  with  the  grooves  in  the 
lower  head  of  the  tibia.  At  the  back,  its  rounded  surface  ex- 
actly fits  into  a  concavity  of  the  os  calcis,  or  heel-bone,  to  which 
it  is  firmly  bound  by  ligaments. 

The  fbula  is  placed  at  the  back  of  the  tibia,  and  extends 
about  one-third  of  the  way  down  it.  The  two  bones  are  united 
by  cartilage  in  early  life,  but  this  soon  becomes  changed  into 
bone.  The  lower  bones  of  the  thigh  stand  in  an  oblique,  or 
slanting,  direction  backward,  thus  forming  an  angle  with  the 
femur.  Two  objects  are  thus  accomplished— concussion  is  pre- 
vented, and  the  muscles  are  enabled  to  act  wdth  much  greater 
power.  And  in  proportion  to  the  acuteness  or  sharpness  of  the 
angle  thus  formed,  known  by  the  knee,  or  stifle-joint,  standing 
well  under,  will  these  objects  be  accomplished.  There  is  great 
difference  in  this  respect  in  different  horses.  This  is  a  point 
worthy  particular  attention.  The  tibia  should  be  long  and 
supplied  with  full,  strong  muscles.  It  has  been  already  ob- 
served how  important  this  is  in  the  arm,  and  it  is,  if  possible, 
more  necessary  here. 

The  astragalus  is  a  thick,  heavy  bone,  situated  beneath  the 
lower  head  of  the  tibia.  It  is  the  form  of  a  half-circle  from 
above  forward,  and  marked  by  a  deep  groove,  with  a  high  pro- 
jection on  each  side,  which  fit  into  grooves  in  the  lower  head 
of  the  tibia.  By  this  arrangement  this  joint  admits  of  a  very 
extensive  forward  motion.  Behind,  it  is  firmly  attached  to  the 
OS  calcis,  or  heel-bone,  which  forms  the  backward  projection  of 
the  hough.  Below,  it  rests  on  the  larger  of  the  thre<3  wedge- 
bones. 

The  OS  calcis  (sjmr-bone)  is  a  flat,  thick  bone,  situated  at  the 
back  part  of  the  hough,  and  looking  backward  and  upward. 
It  projects  back  a  considerable  distance.  Some  of  the  most 
powerful  muscles  are  inserted  into  its  extremity  by  what  is 
generally  called  the  hamstring.     It  is  united  by  articulation 


BONES  OF  THE  HIND  EXTREMITIES.  361 

with  the  tibia  and  astragalus  in  front  and  below,  and  rests  on 
the  cnbe-bone  and  larger  wedge-bone. 

The  cuhe-hone  is  situated  at  the  backward  and  outer  part  of 
the  hough,  and  rests  on  the  outside  splint-bone,  and  partly  on 
the  cannon-bone. 

The  large  ivedge-hone  is  flat  and  thick,  and  rests  on  the  other 
two  wedge-bones. 

The  smaller  ivedge-hones  form  the  lower  and  front  part  of 
the  hough.  The  inner  one  rests  principally  on  the  inner  splint- 
bone;  the  front  one  on  the  shank-bone. 

The  bones  of  the  lioiigh  are  united  by  strong  ligaments,  and 
between  the  faces  are  layers  of  cartilage,  synovial  sack,  and 
joint-water,  the  same  as  in  the  knee-joints.  By  this  arrange- 
ment great  strength  and  elasticity,  or  springiness,  are  secured, 
and  concussion  prevented. 

It  might  be  expected  that  a  joint  so  complicated,  and  which 
often  has  to  sustain  a  concussion  equal  to  many  thousand 
pounds,  would  be  the  seat  of  injury.  Such  is  the  case.  This 
joint  is  subject  to  general  inflammation,  known  as  enlarge- 
ment of  the  hough.  Curb  is  another  disease  affecting  it.  It, 
or  the  parts  about  it,  is  also  the  seat  of  bog-spavin,  bone- 
spavin,  and  capped  hough. 

No  one  can  too  well  understand  the  anatomy  and  diseases  of 
the  hough,  and  the  proper  size  and  shape  of  its  different  parts, 
and  the  strength  and  force  of  the  muscles  and  ligaments  con- 
nected with '  it.  It  should  be  carefully  studied.  A  horse 
with  a  diseased  hough  is  a  very  worthless  animal. 

The  hones  of  the  hind-leg,  from  the  hough  down,  are  the  same 
in  name  and  number,  and  similarly  arranged,  as  those  of  the 
fore-leg  from  the  knee  down.  The  shank  is  longer,  and  also 
the  pasterns.  The  pasterns  are  less  slanting.  Smoothness 
and  breadth  are  to  be  desired  in  the  hind-leg.  The  hind-leg 
is  liable  to  various  injuries  and  several  diseases,  as  swelled  leg, 
grease,  or  scratches,  etc. 


362  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

BONES  OF  THE  EAR. 

These  are  four  small  bones  connected  with  the  internal  part 
of  the  ear,  and  curiously  arranged,  and  so  delicately  poised 
as  to  be  moved  by  the  slightest  jar  or  vibration  of  the  air  in 
the  external  part  of  the  car.  There  are,  of  course,  eight  in 
both  ears.  They  are  named  the  ??i<x/^e«i5,  or  mallet;  the  incuSj 
or  anvil ;  the  stcq^cs,  or  stirrup,  and  the  os  orliculare,  or  round 
bone.  The  handle  of  the  mallet  is  attached  to  the  drum  of 
the  ear,  and  its  face  rests  on  the  anvil.  The  incus  resembles 
a  blacksmith's  anvil  in  shape;  hence  its  name.  It  has  a  de- 
pression in  which  the  head  of  the  hammer  rests.  The  staj)eSf 
or  stirrup,  is  the  shape  of  a  common  iron  stirrup,  and  is  con- 
nected with  the  incus  by  the  os  orUculare,  or  round  bone.  The 
orhicuUre  is  a  round  bone,  not  larger  than  a  grain  of  mustard- 
seed.     It  enables  the  incus  and  staj^es  to  move  more  freely. 

THE  BONE  OF  THE  TONGUE. 

This  bone  is  situated  at  the  root  of  the  tongue,  the  body  of 
the  bone  lying  crosswise.  From  the  middle  part  a  sort  of  pin- 
shaped  spike  of  bone  is  inserted  into  the  root  of  the  tongue. 
Each  end  of  the  body  has  two  horns.  The  shorter  ascend 
obliquely  and  terminate  in  smooth  extremities.  The  longer 
horns  extend  backward.  Its  use  is  to  give  attachment  to  the 
muscles  principally  concerned  in  swallowing,  and  to  support 
the  tongue  and  other  soft  parts  of  the  mouth. 

THE  MUSCLES. 

The  muscles  constitute  the  fleshy  part  of  the  animal.  They 
have  a  red  appearance,  and  form  the  great  bulk  of  the  animal 
body.  They  differ  very  greatly  in  size  and  length,  some  being 
very  heavy,  weighing  many  pounds,  and  several  feet  in  length, 
while  others  are  so  delicate  and  small  as  to  be  very  difficult  to 
find,  even  by  the  anatomist.  All  muscles,  however,  have  cer- 
tain general  characters,  which  will  now  be  explained. 


THE   MUSCLES.  363 

Every  muscle  is  composed  of  thread-like  fibers,  running  in 
the  direction  in  which  it  is  intended  to  act.  These  fibers  form 
the  bulk  of  the  muscle ;  but  they  are  bound  and  held  together 
by  fine  fibers  of  tendon,  running  through  the  entire  bulk  of  the 
muscle,  and  spread  over  its  body,  forming  the  sheath  of  the 
muscle.  At  the  extremities  of  the  muscle,  where  it  is  to  be 
fastened  or  attached  to  a  bone  or  cartilage,  these  tendonous 
fibers  are  collected  together,  and  form  what  is  known  as  the 
tendon  of  the  muscle,  and  which  is  fastened  to  the  bone  or 
cartilage.  Some  tendons  are  round,  and  hard,  gristly  sub- 
stances; others  are  broad  and  thin.  Toughness  and  strength 
are  the  properties  of  all  tendons.  One  end  of  the  muscle  is 
said  to  be  its  origin,  the  other  its  insertion. 

The  power  of  a  muscle  depends  on  the  number  of  muscle 
fibers  it  is  composed  of.  Some  muscles  have  but  a  very  few 
fibers,  and  consequently  are  almost  white. 

The  spaces  between  the  muscles  is  mainly  filled  up  by  cellu- 
lar tissue,  in  which  the  fat  is  deposited.  It  also  dips  into  and 
is  interspersed  through  the  body  of  many  muscles.  It  is  in 
the  little  cells  of  this  whitish,  spongy  tissue  that  the  fat  is  de- 
posited or  formed.  The  fat  thus  interspersed  through  the 
muscles  serves  to  lieep  them  oiled  and  soft. 

Every  muscle  has  the  power  of  contracting,  or  drawing  up, 
and  Off  relaxing,  or  becoming  loose.  Most  muscles  are  under 
the  control  of  the  will  of  the  animal,  as  those  of  the  limbs. 
They  are  called  voluntary.  Some  act  independently  of  the 
will,  and  are  called  involuntary  muscles,  as  the  heart,  etc.  It 
is  by  this  power  of  the  muscles  that  all  movements  of  the  ani- 
mal are  performed.  In  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  muscle 
will  be  the  power  with  which  it  is  capable  of  contracting;  but, 
however  powerful  may  be  the  muscles  of  the  horse,  if  the  bones 
to  which  they  are  attached  are  not  j^roperly  formed  for  the 
muscles  to  act  with  advantage,  their  power  will  be  spent  with- 
out exhibiting  either  great  strength  or  quick  action  in  the 
animal. 


364  NAVIN    ON    THE    HORSE. 

It  would  not  suit  the  purpose  of  this  work  to  give  a  full  de- 
scription of  all  the  muscles  of  the  horse.  I  shall  only  describe 
such  as  are  principally  concerned  in  the  action  of  the  horse, 
and  such  as  are  the  seat  of,  or  involved  in,  disease. 

The  whole  number  of  muscles  in  the  horse  is  variously  esti- 
mated by  diiferent  authors.  Mr.  Dadd,  in  his  great  work, 
"  The  Anatomy  and  Physiology  of  the  Horse,"  estimates  the 
number  at  tliree  hundred  and  fortij-four.  This  is  probably  near 
the  exact  number.  The}''  are  chiefly  arranged  in  pairs,  or  twos, 
of  the  same  kind.  Mr.  Dadd's  estimate  includes  one  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  pairs  and  ten  single  muscles. 

In  describing  the  muscles  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  use 
names  generally  understood,  in  many  cases,  for  the  reason 
that  but  few  muscles  have  ever  been  named  by  any  but  anat- 
omists, and  they  have  given  them  Latin  names;  but  I  will  so 
describe  the  muscles  that  no  trouble  need  be  caused  if  the 
names  are  not  familiar. 

Panniculus  carnosus,  the  fleshy  covering.  It  is  a  muscle  pe- 
culiar to  quadru2:)eds,  or  four-footed  animals.  It  extends  from 
the  poll  over  the  whole  body  and  down  to  the  arms  and  stifles. 
It  lies  immediately  under  the  skin,  and  is  attached  to  it  by  the 
cellular  membrane.  It  is  by  the  rapid  action  of  this  muscle 
that  the  horse's  skin  is  contracted  into  wrinkles,  and  made  to 
quiver  when  he  wishes  to  shake  flies  or  dust  ofl"  his  body.  It 
is  a  very  useful  muscle  to  animals. 

I  will  consider  the  muscles  in  four  classes:  the  first  class 
embracing  those  of  the  head  and  neck;  the  second,  the  hody,  or 
trunk;  the  third,  the  fore  extremities ;  the  fourth,  the  hind  ex- 
tremities. 

MUSCLES  OF  THE  HEAD  AND  NECK. 

The  muscles  connected  with  the  nose  and  mouth  are  rather 
slender,  and  of  considerable  length.  Their  names  indicate 
their  uses.  Each  distinct  sort  of  motion  of  the  lips  and  soft 
parts  of  the  nose  is  the  result  of  the  action  of  either  a  single 
muscle  or  the  combined  action  of  two  or  more. 


MUSCLES  OF  THE  HEAD  AND  NECK.  365 

The  same  is  true  of  the  muscles  of  the  eye  and  its  append- 
ages, except  that  they  are  shorter  than  those  of  the  mouth. 
There  are  a  number  of  thin  or  flat  muscles  attached  to  the  ear, 
each  of  which  moves  it  in  a  particular  direction. 

The  fleshy  portion  of  the  jaw,  or  cheek,  is  composed  prin- 
cipally, of  the  masscter.  or  chewing  muscle,  wdiich  is  attached 
both  to  the  upper  and  lower  jaw-bones. 

The  next  group  of  muscles  is  those  constituting  the  bulk  of 
the  neck.  The  principal  of  these  are  the  splenius  and  complexus 
major.  The  splenius  arises  from  the  ligament  of  the  neck 
throughout  its  whole  length,  and  is  attached  to  the  transverse 
or  side  processes,  or  projections,  of  all  the  cervical  vertebrae,  or 
neck-bones,  except  the  first,  and  to  a  projection  of  the  tem- 
poral bone.  It  is  a  very  powerful  muscle,  and  its  office  is  to 
raise  the  head  and  neck,  both  muscles  acting  together,  but  one 
actino;  alone  to  turn  the  head  to  one  side.  It  constitutes  the 
principal  bulk  of  the  upper  part  of  the  neck.  The  chief 
beauty  of  the  neck  depends  on  this  muscle.  In  a  well-formed 
neck  it  is  thick  and  heavy  in  the  back  and  upper  part  of  the 
neck,  arising  in  front  of  the  withers  almost  on  a  line  with  them, 
and  gradually  tapering  and  becoming  small  toward  the  head, 
and  formino-  a  o-entle  curve.  If  the  bones  of  the  neck  are 
sufficiently  long,  this  will  give  that  arching  of  the  nec-k  which 
constitutes  one  of  the  most  pleasing  beauties  of  the  horse. 
The  neck,  however,  should  present  little  else  than  muscles,  as 
much  fat  would  give  it  the  appearance  of  clumsiness. 

The  compJexus  major ^  or  greater  complex  muscle,  is  deep- 
seated  beneath  the  splenius.  It  constitutes  the  greater  part  of 
the  bulk  of  the  back  part  of  the  neck.  It  arises  from  the  side 
projections  of  the  first  five  bones  of  the  back,  and  their  spines, 
and,  passing  upward  and  forward,  is  attached  to  the  ligament  of 
the  neck,  and  to  the  occipital,  or  back  skull,  bone.  It  is  by  far 
the  heaviest  muscle  of  the  neck.  It  assists  in  raising  and 
curving  the  neck,  and  extends  the  head. 

If  this  muscle  acts  too  powerfully  it  causes  that  shape  of 


366  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

the  neck  known  as  eive-neck,  in  ^Yhich  the  neck  is  pulled  or 
curved  down,  and  the  muzzle  extended,  and  the  horse  is  called 
a  star-gazer.     This  is  a  most  unsightly  deformity. 

Other  muscles,  of  some  consequence  in  assisting  to  raise  and 
turn  the  head  and  neck,  are  the  smaller  complicated  muscles, 
the  complexus  minores,  the  recti,  or  straight,  and  the  oblique 
muscles,  situated  in  the  upper  part  of  the  neck. 

The  principal  muscles  situated  in  the  lower  part  of  the  neck, 
are  the  sfcrno  maxiUaries,  uniting  the  breast-bone  with  the  jaw 
It  is  a  long,  not  very  heavy  muscle,  its  upper  part  being  only 
a  broad  tendon.     Its  use  is  to  draw  the  head  down. 

The  next  is  the  levator  humeri,  or  raiser  of  the  upper  arm- 
bone.  This  muscle  arises  from  the  bones  of  the  back  of  the 
head,  and  from  the  bones  of  the  neck,  as  far  back  as  the 
fourth.  It  passes  backward  and  downward,  and  is  attached, 
or  fjistened,  to  the  shoulder-blade  and  the  upper  arm-bone,  or 
humerus.  It  has  a  double  action.  When  the  horse  is  stand- 
ing still,  and  both  muscles  act,  the  head  is  drawn  down;  but 
wdien  in  motion,  it  raises  and  carries  forward  the  shoulder 
and  arm. 

There  are  other  muscles  of  this  part,  but  it  is  not  necessary  . 
to  describe  them  in  this  work. 

The  beauty  and  carriage  of  the  horse  is  so  much  dependent 
on  the  shape  and  size  of  the  muscles  of  the  head  and  neck, 
that  they  can  not  be  too  well  studied.  We  have  already  con- 
sidered the  proper  shape  and  size  of  the  bones ;  but  these  may 
be  ever  so  perfect,  and  yet  their  effect  be  entirely  destroyed 
by  grossness  and  ill-shape  of  the  muscles.  The  muscles  of  the 
head  and  face  should  be  small,  and  the  less  tat  among  them 
the  better.  The  nostrils  should  be  large,  and  the  motions  of 
the  lips,  eyes,  and  ears  quick  and  nervous.  This  is  the  bony 
head  which  horsemen  look  after,  and  which  is  the  character- 
istic of  good  blood. 

The  neck  should  be  long,  and  rise  in  a  gentle  curve  from 
the  withers  forward.     The  muscles  should  be  deep  and  full  at 


MUSCLES   OF    THE    EODY,    OR    TRUNK.  367 

tlie  back  part  of  the  neck,  but  should  taper  fast  and  become 
small  forward,  c:ivin2:  the  neck  a  slim  but  muscular  shape  back 
of  the  jaws.  The  neck  should  not  be  loaded  Avith  fat ;  it  should 
be  made  up  of  muscles,  full  and  well  formed,  showing  the 
creases  between  them.  Though  length  of  head  and  neck  are 
A^ery  desirable  and  very  beautiful,  and  generally  found  in  horses 
of  extraordinary  speed,  a  great  degree  of  beauty  and  firm 
action  may  be  found  in  a  shorter  neck  and  shorter  head,  if 
combined  with  the  same  bonyness  of  the  head  and  muscularity 
of  the  neck  just  described.  Of  the  truth  of  this  I  would  refer 
to  the  l^.Iorgan  horses  of  this  country.  Many  of  the  celebrated 
trotting-horses  of  the  United  States  are  of  this  stock. 

MUSCLES  OF  THE   BODY,  OR  TRUNK.      ♦ 

These  embrace  the  long,  heavy  muscles  spread  along  the 
spine  or  back,  from  the  beginning  of  the  withers  backward, 
forming  the  fleshy  part  of  the  withers  and  loins,  and  the  mus- 
cles spread  over  and  between  the  ribs,  giving  form  and  strength 
to  the  chest,  and  the  many  broad  muscles  which  form  the  walls 
of  the  belly,  or  abdomen. 

The  muscles  of  the  back  are  ver}^  powerful.  Some  fill  the 
spaces  at  the  sides  of  the  spines,  or  uj^per  projections  of  the 
vertebrae,  or  back-bones,  and  give  the  back  its  full,  round  ap- 
pearance. Others  are  seated  beneath  the  spine  on  its  inner 
side.  These  muscles  are  principally  attached  to  the  spines,  or 
upward  projections,  and  side  projections,  or  processes,  of  the 
vertebrae,  and  to  the  bodies  of  these  bones  themselves,  and  to 
the  bones  of' the  pelvis,  or  basin,  behind.  These  muscles  give 
strength  to  the  back,  and  are  the  principal  muscles  brought 
into  action  in  rearing  and  kicking. 

The  principal  of  these  muscles  is  the  longissimus  dorsi,  or 
long  muscle  of  the  back.  It  lies  on  the  upper  and  side  parts 
of  the  back  and  loins,  being  attached  as  far  forward  as  the 
fourth  bone  of  the  neck,  and  then  to  different  parts  of  all  the 
bones  of  the  spine,  and  to  the  upper  part  of  the  last  twelve 


368  Ts^AYIX   ON   THE    HOESE. 

ribs,  and  to  the  rump  and  haunch-bones.  Other  of  these 
muscles  are  the  sj)uiaUs  dorsi,  beneath  the  longisshnus  dor  si, 
in  the  region  of  the  withers.  It  assists  in  forming  the  bulk 
of  the  withers,  and  to  raise  the  neck.  The  semi-s])inalis 
dorsi  lies  back  along  the  loins  squarely.     It  assists  the  others. 

Another  great  muscle  of  the  loins  is  the  psoas  magnus.  It 
forms  the  bulk  of  the  inner  part  of  the  loins.  It  extends  from 
the  last  ribs  backward,  attaching  to  all  the  vertebra?  it  passes, 
and  is  inserted  into  the  upper  and  front  part  of  the  upper 
thigh-bone,  or  femur.  It  acts  to  draw  up  the  haunch.  There 
are  several  other  muscles  of  this  region,  but  they  are  only 
helpers  of  the  others,  generally. 

The  muscles  of  the  chest  are  generally  of  considerable  length, 
and  somewhat  broad.  They  are  attached  to  the  back-bone,  or 
spine,  above,  and  to  the  shoulder-blade,  humerus,  ribs,  and 
breast-bone  below.  Their  office,  as  a  class,  is  to  complete  the 
walls  of  the  chest,  and  to  expand  it  in  the  act  of  breathing, 
and,  especially,  to  move  the  shoulder-blade  and  upper  arm- 
bone,  or  humerus.     Some  of  them  deserve  particular  mention. 

The  trajyezius  starts  from  some  of  the  high  projections,  or 
spines  of  the  dorsal  vertebra?,  the  third,  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth 
and  descends  down  the  side  of  the  withers,  and  terminates  in 
a  point  which  is  fastened  to  the  high  ridge  on  the  outside  of  the 
shoulder-blade.     It  serves  to  draw  this  bone  up  and  backward. 

The  latlssimus  dorsi  arises  from  the  bones  along  the  withers, 
and  as  far  back  as  the  small  of  the  back,  and  passes  downward 
and  forward,  and  is  attached  to  the  back  part  of  the  humerus, 
or  lower  shoulder-bone.  Its  use  is  to  draw  this  bone  up,  or 
flex  it.  It  is  a  very  powerful  muscle,  and,  in  the  well-formed 
horse,  acts  with  great  mechanical  advantage. 

The  most  important  muscle  of  this  part  is  the  serratus  mag- 
nus, or  great  saw-muscle.  It  is  found  between  the  shoulder  and 
side  of  the  chest.  It  arises  from  the  side  projections  of  the 
last  four  bones  of  the  neck,  and  from  the  lower  portion  of  the 
first  ei'f'ht  ribs,  and  i;asses  up  between  the  rib  and  shoulder- 


MUSCLES   OF   THE   BODY,    OR   TRUNK.  369 

blade,  and  is  attached,  or  fastened,  to  the  upper  and  inside  part 
of  this  bone.  It  is  the  principal  agent  in  sustaining  the  weight  of 
the  animal.  It  is  the  seat  of  strain  of  the  inside  of  the  shoulder 
Muscles  of  the  Abdomen,  or  Belli/.~These  are  generally  broad 
and  long  muscles,  extending  from  before  backward,  being  at^ 
tached  to  the  ribs  in  front,  and  the  back-bone  and  haunek- 
bones  behind.  They  form  the  walls  of  the  abdomen,  and 
assist  m  drawing  the  hinder  parts  forward.  They  also  com- 
press the  bowels  and  assist  in  expelling  their  contents. 

The  diaphragm  is  a  muscle  which  should  be  well  understood. 
It  forms  the  partition  wall  between  the  chest  and  belly.  It  is 
a  broad,  thin  muscle  of  very  great  power.  It  is  attached  to 
the  cartilages  of  the  last  pair  of  long,  or  true,  ribs,  and  to 
those  of  all  the  short  ribs,  except  the  last,  and  to  the  back  end, 
or  cartilage,  of  the  breast-bone ;  also,  to  the  bones  of  the  loins' 
or  lumbar  vertebra3.  It  is  the  principal  muscle  concerned  in 
moving  the  walls  of  the  chest  in  breathing.  Hiccoughino-  is  a 
spasmodic  action  of  this  muscle,  and  is  a  very  dangerous- 
symptom  in  disease.  The  lungs  and  heart  lie  in  front  of  the 
diaphragm,  and  the  liver,  stomach,  and  intestines  behind  it. 
The  gullet  passes  from  before  this  muscle  to  the  stomach  be- 
hind it. 

Muscles  of  the  Fore  Extremities,  or  Arm  and  Fore-leg.— TK\^, 
IS  one  of  the  most  important  classes  of  muscles  of  the  horse 
On  their  size,  shape,  and  action  the  usefulness  of  the  horse  to. 
n  great  extent,  depends.     Their  office  is  to  effect  the  various 
motions  of  the  fore  extremities.     They  are  generally  heavy 
round,  and  long.     Many  of  them  have  long,  round   tendons  ' 
passing  down  to  the  lower  bones  of  the  limbs. 

The  antea  spinatus  occupies  the  space  in  the  front  part  of  the < 
outer  side  of  the  shoulder-blade,  in  front  of  the  hio-b  rido-e- 
dividing  the  bone.  It  is  fastened  to  the  space  in  which  it  lien's 
and  extends  down,  and  is  attached  to  the  capsular  ligament  of 
the  shoulder-jomt.  Its  action  is  to  extend,  or  straighten,  the- 
upper  bone  of  the  arm,  or  humerus 
24 


3^0  NAVIN   ON    THE   HOESE. 

The  postea  spinatus  fills  the  space  behind  the  ridge  of  the 
outer  side  of  the  shoulder-blade,  to  which  it  is  fastened,  and 
extends  downward,  to  be  attached  to  the  upper  and  outer  part 
of  the  humerus  and  to  the  capsular  ligament  of  the  shoulder- 
joint.  Its  action  is  to  assist  in  drawing  the  humerus,  or  upper 
arm-bone,  upward  and  backward.       ^  .    .  .i    i    n  .f 

These  two  muscles  make  up  the  prmcipal  part  of  the  bulk  ot 
the  side  of  the  shoulder,  at  the  upper  part.  They  are  the  seat 
of  the  disease  called  siveemj.  It  is  a  wasting  away,  or  atrophy, 
of  these  muscles,  or  either  of  them.  t^  •      + 

The  teres  major  lies  behind  the  last-named  muscle.  It  is  at- 
tached to  the  back  part  of  the  shoulder-blade  and  ribs,  and  ex- 
tends downward,  and  is  attached  to  the  upper  arm-bone,  or 
humerus.  Its  action  is  to  flex  this  bone  and  turn  it  inward 
Other  muscles  of  this  region,  concerned  in  the  backward  and 
forward  motion  of  the  upper  arm-bone,  or  humerus,  might  be 
studied  with  interest;  but  it  does  not  suit  our  purpose  to  take 
space  to  explain  them.  But  every  horseman  should  l^^^e  their 
proper  shape,  size,  and  locality  well  fixed  in  his  mmd.  Much 
•of  the  animal's  usefulness  depends  on  these  muscles.  _ 

The  next  important  group  of  muscles  to  be  noticed  are 
:those  chiefly  concerned  in  the  motions  of  that  part  of  the 
limb  commonly  called  the  arm,  and  the  parts  of  the  leg  below 
it  These  muscles  consist  of  three  groups.  The  first  group 
consists  of  four  muscles,  lying  in  front  of  the  arm,  and  their 
use  is  to  extend,  or  straighten,  the  diflln-cnt  parts  of  the  limb 
to  which  their  long  tendons  are  attached.  They  are  cal  ed 
■extensor  muscles,  and  their  tendons  extensor  tendons,  bc- 
•cause  they  act  to  extend,  or  straighten,  the  limb. 

The  next  o-roup  lie  at  the  outer  side  of  the  arm,  and  are  also 
•four  in  nunrber.  Their  office  is  to  eff"ect  the  drawing  up  and 
backward  motion  of  the  diflercnt  parts  to  which  they  are  at- 
tached by  their  long  tendons.  They  are  called  flexor  mus- 
-cles,  and  their  tendons  ftexor  tendons,  because  they  act  to 
:flex,  or  draw  up,  the  leg. 


MUSCLES  OF  THE  BODY,  OR  TRUXK.  371 

The  next  is  a  group  of  five  muscles,  situated  beneath  the 
last  group.  They  are  also  flexors.  Some  of  their  tendons  ex- 
tend down  to  the  foot. 

As  has  already  been  intimated,  these  several  groups  of  mus- 
cles are  supplied  with  long  tendons,  to  reach  from  the  arm  to 
the  several  bones  below,  to  which  their  tendons  are  attached. 
As  they  pass  the  knee  and  other  joints,  they  pass  through 
loops,  or  bands  of  tough  ligaments,  through  which  they  act  as 
through  }xdleys.  These  tendons  are  prevented  from  injury,  by 
rubbing,  or  friction,  by  passing  through  a  sheath,  lined  by 
a  soft,  lubricated  membrane.  These  tendons  are  gathered  in 
a  sort  of  bundle  at  the  back  of  the  cannon-bones,  and  form 
what  is  called  the  back  tendons,  or  sinews. 

By  this  arrangement  of  the  muscles  being  placed  high  up, 
about  the  arm,  and  their  long  tendons  passing  to  the  lower 
parts  of  the  leg  and  foot,  great  strength  and  free,  quick  mo- 
tion are  secured,  and  but  small  space  occupied. 

Every  person  should  know  that  unless  the  muscles  of  the 
fore-limbs  are  fidl  and  well  formed,  and  particularly  those  of 
the  arm,  the  horse  is  an  inferior  animal,  however  beautiful  in 
other  respects.  But  the  position  of  and  freedom  with  which 
the  tendons  act  is  of  much  importance.  They  should  pass 
freely  by  the  joints  and  stand  well  out  from  the  cannon  behind, 
giving  the  leg  the  appearance  of  breadth  from  before  back- 
ward. Without  this,  no  horse  can  excel  in  the  exhibition  of 
strength  or  quick  action,  and  will  certainly  give  down  under 
protracted  service. 

Muscles  of  the  Hind  Extremities,  or  Legs. — The  muscles 
belonging  to  this  class  constitute  the  bulk  of  the  hams,  or 
quarters.  They  are  very  heavy  and  powerful,  and  are  princi- 
pally concerned  in  propelling  the  horse  forward  and  bearing 
weight ;  but  this  mainly  falls  on  the  fore-parts. 

The  largest  of  these  muscles  are  the  glutcei,  (the  tJiree-Jieaded 
and  the  two-headed  muscles.)  They  make  up  the  fleshy  part  of 
the  quarters  above.     They  arise  mainly  from  the  rump  and 


372  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

haunch-bone,  and  pass  downward,  and  are  attached  to  the 
femu)\  or  upper  thigh-bone.  They  act  to  draw  the  limb  for- 
ward, or,  rather,  to  flex  it.  There  are  many  other  muscles  of 
this  part  of  the  hind  extremities,  but  the  only  way  to  form  a 
correct  idea  of  them,  is  by  actual  dissection  of  the  dead  ani- 
mal. They  lie  beneath  those  already  mentioned,  for  the  most 
part,  and  are  attached  below  to  the  thigh-bones,  which  they 
assist  in  moving. 

The  next  group  of  muscles  to  be  considered  is  those  lying 
about  the  lower  thigh-bone,  and  whose  long  tendons  pass  down 
to  the  bones  of  the  hough  and  those  below  it.  Very  important 
in  this  class  are  the  gastrocnemii  muscles,  whose  long  tendons 
are  attached  to  the  point  of  the  hough,  and  which  are  com- 
monly called  the  hamstrings.  These  muscles  arise  from  the 
lower  parts  of  the  upper  thigh-bone,  or  femur.  The  tendon  of 
one  of  these  muscles  passes  over  the  hough  and  on  down  to 
the  lower  pastern-bone. 

The  muscles  lying  about  the  lower  thigh,  or  proper  leg-bone, 
resemble  very  much  those  of  the  arm  in  the  fore-limb.  They 
have  long  tendons,  which  are  attached  to  the  bones  about  the 
hough,  or  pass  this  joint  to  be  fastened  to  the  different  bones 
below.  These  tendons  are  also  held  in  place  by  loops  of  liga- 
ment, through  which  they  pass,  and  are  j^rotected  by  the  tough 
sheaths  which  surround  them.  Their  office  is  to  effect  the 
various  motions  of  the  parts  below  the  hough,  and  to  flex  and 
extend  the  foot. 

The  muscles  of  the  hind  extremities  should  be  full,  solid,  and 
long.  But  if  the  bones  of  this  part  are  well  formed,  there  is 
only  one  danger  in  the  muscles ;  they  may  be  loose  and  flabby, 
and  act  with  but  little  power.  They  are  the  power  by  which 
the  horse  is  urged  forward.  They  need  great  strength.  The 
shape,  size,  and  position  of  the  hough  will  have  much  to  do 
wdth  the  effect  with  which  those  muscles,  whose  long  tendons 
pass  to  the  lower  part  of  the  limb,  act.  After  passing  the 
hough,  the  back  tendons  should  stand  well  out  from  the  leg, 


LIGAMENTS.  373 

giving  it  a  decided  appearance  of  breadth  from  before  back- 
ward. 

I  have  now  given  a  somewhat  imperfect  glance  at  a  few  of 
the  most  important  muscles  of  the  horse,  and  endeavored 
to  make  what  I  have  said  intelligible  to  all.  But  this  task 
has  been  very  difficult,  from  the  fact  that  the  names  of  the 
muscles  are  all  Latin,  there  being  no  English  or  common 
names  for  them.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  however,  that  enough  has 
been  said  to  show  to  the  farmer  and  breeder  that  good  muscles 
are  indispensable  to  great  strength,  quick  action,  or  endurance; 
that,  however  beautiful  the  horse  maybe,  if  he  is  not  furnished 
with  full,  solid,  well-formed,  and  properly  placed  muscles,  he 
is  not  a  desirable  animal.  The  great  indication  of  good  mus- 
cles is,  that  they  show  through  the  skin  in  full,  round  ridges, 
or  elevations,  their  edges  being  marked  by  creases.  But  mus- 
cles must  act  with  advantage;  hence,  look  well  to  the  joints 
and  bones  that  they  are  perfect. 


LIGAMENTS. 

Ix  the  horse  there  are  many  ligaments,  or  straps,  bands,  and 
rings  of  ligaments,  which  serve  to  hold  the  joints  in  place,  and 
form  loops  for  the  tendons  of  muscles  passing  oA^er  the 
joints.  They  are  tough,  dense  substances,  and  give  prodigious 
strength  to  the  joints.  There  are  a  few  ligaments  which  de- 
serve especial  notice:  ^ 

Tlie  ligament  of  the  neck,  (ligamentum  colli),  sometimes  called 
the  pack-wax,  is  a  large,  round  ligament,  which  arises  at  the 
upper  and  back  part  of  the  head,  and  passes  back,  touching 
the  second  bone  of  the  neck,  by  leaving  the  others  far  below 
it,  until  it  reaches  the  long  spines  of  the  back-bones  which 
rise  up  to  form  the  withers,  to  which  it  is  attached.     It  may 


374  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE.  # 

be  distinctly  felt  through  the  skin,  just  where  the  mane  rises. 
It  is  the  principal  agent  in  supporting  the  head  and  neck; 
but  being  A^ery  elastic,  it  permits  the  head  to  be  lowered, 
even  to  the  ground.  This  ligament  is  peculiar  to  quadrupeds, 
or  four-footed  animals.  The  seat  of  poll-evil  is  beneath  the 
forward  end  of  this  ligament,  over  the  first  bone  of  the  neck. 
It  is  sometimes  severed  in  this  disease. 

The  ligaments  of  the  stifle-bone,  or  imtella,  attach  it  to  the 
femu)\  or  upper  thigh-bone,  above,  and  to  the  lower  thigh-bone, 
or  proper  leg-bone,  below.  These,  of  course,  are  two  difPerent 
sets  of  ligaments.  The  stifle-bone  is  sometimes  thrown  out  of 
place,  and  in  this  case  some  of  the  ligaments  must  be  torn 
loose  and  others  badly  strained. 

The  ligaments  connected  with  the  foot-bones  have  been  de- 
scribed in  the  chapter  on  the  foot. 

"Whenever  a  joint  is  thrown  out  of  place,  or  badly  wrenched, 
the  ligaments  are  either  torn  or  very  much  strained,  and  con- 
siderable time  and  rest  will  be  necessary  for  them  to  recover. 
In  certain  places  the  ligaments  may,  from  disease,  be  con- 
verted into  bone,  as  happens  with  those  about  the  hough  in 
spavin,  about  the  pasterns  in  ring-bone,  and  ossification  of  the 
lateral  ligaments. 


STOMACH   AND    INTESTINES. 


375 


STOMACH    AND    INTESTINES. 


A,  A,  A,  Showing  the  three  coats  of  the  stomach.     They  are  easier  shown  on  the  gullet 
than  on  the  stomach. 

B,  The  main  esophagus,  or  gullet. 

C,  The  region  of  the  cardiac  orifice  of  the  stomach;  cardiac  meaning  toward  the  heart. 

D,  D,  D,  The  muscular  coat  of  the  stomach,  showing  the  distribution  of  the  nerves. 

E,  The  cellular  and  mucous  coats,  shown  by  the  reflection  of  the  peritoneal  coat. 

F,  The  peritoneal  coat  reflected,  or  turned  over.     This  would  indicate  the  stomach  having 
four  coats.     I  hold  that  it  has  but  three  proper. 

G,  Region  of  the  pyloric  orifice,  or  opening  from  the  stomach  into  the  first  intestine, 
called  the  duodenum. 


376  NAVIN    ox    THE    HORSE. 

H,  H,  H,  H,  The  great  convex  or  circular  border  of  the  stom.ich. 

I,  I,  I,  The  concave  border,  opposite  to  the  convex  border  of  the  stomach. 

K,  The  fundus,  or  culdesac,  (fundus,  the  bottom;  culdesac,  the  bottom  of  a  bag). 

L,  The  small  culdesac. 

M,  M,  The  nerves  of  the  stomach  as  they  pass  along  the  gullet  and  branch  over  the  stom- 
ach by  the  sympathetic  nerves.  Disease  caused  by  injudicious  feeding  is  conveyed  to  the 
destined  locality  of  the  disease  through  sympathy  of  the  parts  with  the  stomach.  The  in- 
voluntary nerves  are  those  which  stimulate  the  stomach  in  the  motion  necessary  to  diges- 
tion, independent  of  the  will.  The  sensitive  nerves  are  also  present,  ,by  which  pain  and 
satisfaction  are  felt,  and  by  which  the  horse  knows  when  he  has  enough  of  food  in  the 
stomach. 

N  The  duodenum,  called  by  some  the  second  stomach.  Here  the  bile  from  the  liver  and^ 
the  secretion  from  the  sweet-bread,  or  pancreas,  enter  through  two  ducts.  These  fluids 
change  the  chyme  formed  out  of  the  food  by  the  gastric  fluid  into  a  mass  called  chyle.  It 
is  then  fit  for  nutriment,  to  be  taken  up  into  the  general  system.     (See  article  on  that 

topic.) 

0  0,  The  ducts  receiving  the  bile  and  secretions  from  the  liver  and  pancreas. 

P,  P,  P,  P,  P,  P,  P,  The  jejunum  and  ileum. 

Q,  Represents  a  portion  of  the  mesentery,  which  covers  and  keeps  the  bowels  in  their 
proper  situations,  and  other  purposes.  This  is  thrown  open  to  show  its  connections  with 
the  bowels.  (See  article  on  the  "Bowels.")  For  this  purpose  I  put  the  bowels  in  this 
shape. 

R,  Here  the  ileum  enters  the  junction  of  the  coecum  and  colon  by  what  is  called  the  iliac 
valve,  or  junction. 

S,  The  caecum,  or  water-pouch,  called  the  blind-gut. 

T,  T,  T,  The  colon,  or  great  gut.     It  is  the  largest  of  all  the  bowels. 

U,  U,  The  rectum,  or  last  gut. 

W,  W,  The  anus,  or  outer  passage  from  the  bowels. 

X,  Sphincter  muscle,  which  closes  the  fundament.  It  is  voluntary  and  involuntary.  It 
closes  with  or  independent  of  the  will. 


THE  OKGANS  OF  DIGESTION. 

These  include  all  those  parts  of  the  animal  concerned  in  pre- 
paring the  food  for  repairing  and  building  up  the  body.  They 
extend  from  the  mouth  back  to  the  last  bowel.  Those  situated 
in  the  mouth  are  the  lips,  teeth,  tongue,  and  the  salivary  glands. 
The  gullet,  or  esophagus,  leads  from  the  mouth  to  the  stomach. 
The  organs  of  digestion  situated  in  the  belly,  or  abdomen,  are, 
the  stomach,  small  intestines,  large  intestines,  liver,  spleen, 
pancreas,  kidneys,  and  bladder.     Of  these  the  spleen,  kidneys, 


THE   ORGANS   OF   DIGESTION.  377 

and  bladder  arc,  perhaps,  not  .properly  organs  of  digestion,  as 
their  action  is  rather  upon  the  blood  than  on  those  fluids 
formed  of  the  food  taken  by  the  animal.  But  it  is  convenient 
to  describe  them  under  this  head.  For  the  same  reason  I  shall 
describe  the  peritoneum,  or  investing  membrane  of  the  bowels, 
in  this  chapter. 

The  llj)s  are  two  in  number,  the  upper  and  lower.  They 
are  composed  of  masses  of  elastic  cellular  tissue,  small  mus- 
cles, and  glands.  They  are  partly  covered  by  skin,  and  on 
their  inside  starts  the  mucous  membrane  which  lines  the  in- 
side of  the  entire  alimentary  canal.  The  lips  of  the  horse 
serve  to  grasp  the  food  and  bring  it  within  the  mouth. 

The  teeth  have  been  described  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
I  shall  only  consider  them  here  as  concerned  in  preparing  the 
food  for  the  system.  The  front  teeth  are  for  cutting  the  food, 
and  the  back  teeth  for  grinding  it. 

The  tongue  is  a  large,  muscular  organ  situated  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  cavity  of  the  mouth.  It  is  attached  by  its  roots  to 
the  hyoid  bone,  or  bone  of  the  tongue,  and  along  the  under 
side  of  its  body  to  the  lower  jaws.  Its  forward  part  is  free. 
It  is  the  organ  of  taste,  and  its  use  is  to  move  food  about  in 
the  mouth  during  the  process  of  chewing,  and  to  carry  the 
parts  which  are  sufficiently  masticated  back  into  the  pharynx 
to  be  swallowed.  It  is  not  the  only  organ  having  nerves  of 
taste.  The  palate,  pharynx,  and,  probably,  the  gullet,  have 
some  nerves  of  taste. 

The  salivarij  glands  are  six  in  number,  three  on  each  side  of 
the  mouth.  They  are  named  the  sublingual,  the  submaxillary, 
and  the  parotid  glands. 

The  sublingual  glands  are  situated  under  and  one  at  each 
side  of  the  tongue.  They  are  the  smallest  of  the  salivary 
glands.  Each  gland  has  little  ducts,  or  tubes,  leading  from  it, 
and  opening  into  the  cavity  of  the  mouth.  The  ducts  of  the 
sublingual  glands  open  under  the  fore-part  of  the  tongue. 

The  submaxillary  glands,  one  on  the  inside  of  the  turn  of  each 


378  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

side  of  the  lower  jaw,  are  larger  than  the  sublingual  glands. 
A  part  of  each  gland  lies  as  far  back  as  the  forward  part  of 
the  windpipe.     Each  of  these  glands  has  a  tube,  or  duct,  lead- 
ing fi-oni  it,  which  passes  along  the  under  side  of  the  tongue 
and  opens  into  the  mouth  by  a  little,  nipple-like  elevation, 
under  the  fore-part  of  the  tongue.    This  little  elevation  is  com- 
monly called  the  harl,  and  some  are  foolish  enough  to  snip  it  off. 
The  fcirotid  glands,  or  almonds  of  the  ear,  are  situated,  one 
on  each  side  of  the  head,  behind  the  branches  of  the  lower 
jaw,  and  in  front  of  the  heaviest  part  of  the  temporal  bones. 
They  extend  as  high  up  as  the  roots  of  the  ears,  and  down  to 
the  turns  of  the  lower  jaw.     They  are  the  largest  of  the  sali- 
vary glands.     Each  gland  has  a  duct,  or  tube,  leading  from  it, 
which  passes  along  the  inner  part  of  the  turn  of  the  jaw  and 
crosses  to  the  outside  a  little  forward  of  the  turn,  and  passes 
forward,  and  opens  into  the  mouth  opposite  the  grinding  teeth. 
The  salivary  glands  secrete  the  saliva,  which  is  a  clear  fluid, 
and  which  is  mixed  with  the  food  while  it  is  being  chewed. 
The  saliva  is  poured  out  in  large  quantity  while  the  horse  is 
eating.    Several  pounds  of  this  fluid  are  poured  into  the  mouth 
during  a  meal.     It  renders  the  food  soft  and  moist  so  as  to  ad- 
mit of  being  swallowed,  and  also  more  readily  acted  upon  by 
the  fluids  of  the  stomach.     There  are  also  many  small  glands 
situated  within  the  mouth,  which  assist  in  furnishing  saliva  to 
moisten  the  mouth  and  the  food  taken  into  it. 

The  fharynx  is  a  wide  opening  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
throat,  of  a  funnel  shape,  and  which  opens  back  into  the  gullet. 
The  food  is  carried  back  by  the  tongue  and  lodged  in  the 
pharynx,  from  which  it  goes  on  into  the  gullet. 

The  gullet,  or  esophagus,  is  a  long,  muscular  tube  extending 
from  the  pharynx,  in  the  back  part  of  the  mouth,  to  the  stom- 
ach, in  the  abdomen.  In  the  first  part  of  its  course  it  lies  be- 
tween the  windpipe  and  bones  of  the  neck,  but  soon  passes  to 
the  left  side  of  the  windpipe,  and  passes  into  the  chest  with  it. 
It  then  inclines  upward  along  the  space  between  the  lungs, 


THE   ORGANS   OF   DIGESTION.  379 

and  passes  through  the  diaphragm,  and  enters  the  stomach  at 
about  the  middle  of  its  upper  and  forward  part. 

The  bulk  of  the  gullet  is  composed  of  muscle.  Some  of  the 
fibers  run  lengthwise  of  the  tube,  and  others  around  it.  Its 
internal  coat  is  of  a  smooth,  glistening  character,  of  the  nature  of 
skin,  and  hence  called  its  cuticular  coat.  Many  little  glands 
are  situated  between  the  two  coats  of  the  esophagus,  and  pour 
out  a  fluid  to  moisten  its  internal  surface,  and  enable  the  food 
to  pass  freely  down  it. 

The  use  of  the  gullet  is  to  convey  the  food  from  the  mouth 
back  into  the  stomach.  In  many  animals  it  admits  of  the 
contents  of  the  stomach  being  thrown  back  into  the  mouth 
through  it,  in  the  act  of  vomiting,  and,  in  some,  in  chewing- 
over  the  food  a  second  time ;  but  the  horse  neither  chews  the 
cud  nor  vomits,  except  in  extreme  cases.  When  food  is  not 
passing  from  the  mouth  to  the  pharynx,  the  soft  palate  and 
the  epiglottis  separate  the  two  cavities.  If  the  horse  at- 
tempts to  vomit,  the  palate  is  forced  forward,  entirely  closing 
the  passage  to  the  mouth ;  so  if  any  thing  passes,  in  the  act 
of  vomiting,  it  must  be  forced  out  through  the  nose.  As  the 
food  passes  into  the  larynx,  its  muscles  contract,  and  force  it 
on  into  the  gullet;  the  muscles  of  the  gullet  then  contract 
along  behind  the  food,  and  force  it  on  down  into  the  stomach. 

The  stomach  of  the  horse  is  not  near  so  large  as  might  be 
expected.  It  varies  in  size  in  different  horses,  in  some  only 
being  large  enough  to  contain  about  nine  quarts;  in  others, 
holding  as  much  as  thirty-two  quarts;  the  average  holding 
about  fourteen  quarts.  The  stomach  lies  just  behind  the  dia- 
phragm, and  in  the  left  side  of  the  abdomen.  It  is  in  contact 
with  the  diaphragm,  the  liver,  the  spleen,  and  the  small  and 
large  intestines.  There  are  two  openings  to  the  stomach — the 
one  by  which  the  gullet  opens  into  it,  situated  on  the  side 
next  the  diaphragm,  the  other  by  which  it  opens  into  the  in- 
testine, called  the  duodenum.  The  latter  of  these  openings  is 
at  the  smaller  end  of  the  stomach. 


380  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

The  stomach  is  composed  of  several  different  coats.  The 
outer  one  is  only  a  folding  of  the  peritoneum,  a  membrane 
common  to  all  the  parts  within  the  belly,  over  its  outside. 
The  second  is  the  muscular  coat,  which  constitutes  the  princi- 
pal thickness  of  the  stomach.  There  is  greater  thickness 
about  the  part  which  opens  into  the  intestine  than  at  any  other 
place.  The  libers  of  muscle  run  in  different  directions,  so  that 
by  their  action  the  contents  of  the  stomach  may  be  turned 
round  in  any  and  every  direction.  The  third  coat  is  only  cel- 
lular tissue,  connecting  the  mucous  coat  with  the  muscular. 
The  mucous  coat  lines  the  greater  part  of  the  internal  surface 
of  the  stomach.  For  some  distance  from  where  the  gullet 
enters  the  stomach,  a  thick,  skin-like  substance,  or  membrane, 
is  spread  over  the  internal  surface  of  the  stomach.  This  is 
called  the  cuticular  coat,  and  is  the  part  to  which  the  bots  are 
attached  during  the  period  of  their  growth. 

The  stomach  is  abundantly  supplied  with  blood-vessels, 
which  traverse  every  part  of  its  substance.  It  is  well  sup- 
plied with  nerves.  Many  branches  of  what  is  called  the  sym- 
pathetic nerve  are  spread  through  the  stomach.  It  perhaps 
OAves  to  this  its  extensive  range  of  sympathy  with  other  parts. 
The  stomach  is  the  great  organ  of  digestion.  After  the  food 
is  ground  up  in  the  mouth  and  mixed  with  the  saliva,  it  is  car- 
ried by  the  gullet  into  the  stomach.  It  is  here  rolled  round 
and  round,  and  turned  from  side  to  side,  by  the  action  of  the 
muscular  coat  of  the  stomach,  and  another  fluid  is  here  mixed 
with  it,  called  the  gastric  juice.  The  gastric  juice  is  poured 
into  the  stomach  by  many  little  vessels,  whose  mouths  open 
into  the  mucous  coat.  This  fluid  has  great  power  of  dissolving 
such  articles  as  the  horse  eats.  By  its  action  the  food  is  con- 
verted into  a  milky-looking  fluid,  called  chyme.  As  fast  as  this 
is  formed,  it  is  poured  into  the  intestine.  It  is  not  until  after 
the  stomach  has  long  acted  upon  hard  substances  that  they 
are  forced  into  the  intestine. 

The  diseases  of  the  stomach  are  numerous  and  important. 


THE    IXTESTINES.  '  381 

Indigestion  is  the  most  frequent.     Many  other  aihnents  of  the 
horse  have  their  origin  in  the  stomach. 

THE  INTESTINES. 

The  intestines  constitute  that  part  of  the  channel  which  ex- 
tends from  the  stomach  to  the  outlet  behind.  They  are  nat- 
urally divided  into  the  small  and  large  intestines,  the  whole 
length  of  both  being  about  ninety-three  feet.  The  structure 
of  the  intestines  is  similar  to  that  of  the  stomach.  They  are 
comjDosed  of  three  coats.  The  outer  is  an  envelope  of  perito- 
neum. The  middle  is  a  muscular  coat.  The  internal  is  the 
mucous  coat. 

The  small  intestine  commences  at  the  termination  of  the 
stomach.  The  first  part,  which  is  about  two  feet  long,  is 
called  the  duodenum.  It  is  the  largest  part  of  the  small  intes- 
tine. About  five  or  six  inches  back  from  its  commencement, 
the  ducts  from  the  liver  and  pancreas  enter  it.  This  gut  is 
sometimes  called  the  second  stomach.  It  is  well  fixed  in  its 
position.  It  forms  a  large  curve  round  to  the  right,  and  ends 
on  the  left  side  of  the  spine,  in  the  second  division,  or  jejunum. 

The  ■jejunum  is  the  next  division  of  the  small  intestine.  It 
embraces  two-fifths  of  what  is  left  of  the  small  gut.  The  food 
passes  rapidly  through  it.  It  is  generally  found  empty,  from 
which  it  takes  its  name. 

The  ileum  is  the  last  and  longest  part  of  the  small  gut.  It 
terminates  by  entering  into  the  ccecum,  or  blind  gut.  Its  end 
is  shut  by  a  valve  which  allows  the  contents  of  the  ileum  to 
pass  into  the  caecum,  but  nothing  to  pass  back. 

The  small  intestines  are  abundantly  supplied  with  blood- 
vessels, and  have  a  great  number  of  glands  opening  into  them, 
whose  office  is  to  take  up  the  digested  food,  or  chyle,  and  carry 
it  into  the  blood.  After  the  food  has  passed  about  five  or  six 
inches  into  the  gut,  it  is  mixed  with  the  bile  and  another  fluid 
from  the  pancreas.  The  chyme  then  commences  to  separate  into 
two  parti^,  the  one  being  of  a  thick,  white  character,  and  called 


382  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

chyle.  This  is  the  part  taken  up  by  the  glands  to  build  up 
and  sustain  the  body.  The  other  is  of  a  yellowish  appearance, 
and  passes  on  to  be  thrown  out  of  the  bowels  as  excrement, 
or  dung, 

TJw  large  intestine  is  divided  into  three  parts,  called  the 
ccecum,  or  blind  gut,  the  colon,  and  the  rectum,  or  straight  gut. 

The  ccecum  is  a  large  pouch  which  extends  backward  from 
where  the  small  gut  enters  it.  It  is  situated  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  belly,  obliquely  from  the  left  to  the  right.  The  caecum, 
like  the  colon,  is  drawn  into  smaller  sacks  by  bands  arranged 
along  it.  It  holds  about  four  gallons.  It  is  known  that  the 
horse  drinks  more  than  his  stomach  can  hold.  Xature  has 
provided  this  gut  as  a  sort  of  water  reservoir  for  the  horse. 
As  the  horse  drinks,  the  water  does  not  stop  in  the  stomach, 
but  passes  rapidly  into  and  through  the  small  gut  into  the  cae- 
cum, where  it  remains  to  supply  the  system.  It  is  sometimes 
called  the  water  stomach.  It  is  very  valuable  to  the  horse, 
and  is  one  of  the  wisest  of  nature's  provision's. 

The  colon  is  small  where  it  starts,  but  soon  expands,  or 
widens,  into  a  very  great  size.  It  has  the  same  puckered  ap- 
pearance of  the  caecum.  It  occupies  the  greater  part  of  the 
lower  portion  of  the  belly.  In  its  course,  starting  from  far 
back  in  the  right  side  of  the  belly,  it  passes  forward  to  the 
diaphragm,  where  it  turns  irregularly,  and  passes  back  on  the 
left  side  of  the  belly,  where  it  twists  round  like  the  letter  S, 
and  then  passes  forward  and  again  crosses  the  spine ;  it  then 
continues  back  some  distance,  and  again  crosses  the  belly,  con- 
stituting what  is  called  the  transverse  colon.  It  then  proceeds 
back  again,  forming  the  single  colon,  and  terminates  in  the 
rectum,  or  straight  gut. 

The  remaining  portion  of  the  food,  after  having  passed 
through  the  small  gut,  passes  on  into  the  colon.  Here  what- 
ever may  be  left  in  it  fit  for  supplying  the  system  is  taken  up, 
and  the  remainder,  with  much  worn-out  matter  of  the  sys- 
tem, is  passed  on  into  the  rectum. 


THE    PERITOXEUM.  383 

The  rectum,  or  last  gut,  does  not  vary  much  in  size  from 
the  straight  colon,  of  which  it  is  a  continuation.  It  is  drawn 
into  the  same  sort  of  puckers  as  the  colon.  These  pouches 
form  the  dung-balls.  The  rectum  terminates  at  the  anus.  Its 
back  portion  is  surrounded  by  a  broad,  strong  muscle,  by  which 
it  is  closed  firmly,  and  only  relaxed  by  the  combined  force  of 
the  contents  of  the  gut  being  pressed  against  it  and  by  the 
will  of  the  animal. 

The  office  of  the  rectum  is  to  retain  the  indigestible  parts  of 
the  food,  and  such  worn-out  matter  of  the  system  as  is  thrown 
into  the  bowels,  until  a  sufficient  quantity  has  collected,  when, 
by  the  action  of  the  diaphragm  and  muscles  of  the  belly,  it  is 
thrown  out  as  dung,  or  foeces. 

The  bowels  are  the  seat  of  many  diseases,  which  it  is  not 
necessary  to  particularize  here.  They  are  fully  considered 
in  the  part  of  the  work  treating  of  diseases.  The  proper 
care  of  the  horse's  digestive  system  is  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance. Improper  and  unsound  food  thrown  into  the  stomach 
of  the  horse  can  not  fail  to  do  mischief.  So  of  the  habit 
of  feeding  and  watering  when  the  horse  is  very  hungry,  or 
fatigued,  or  hot,-  Avhen  he  will  certainly  gorge  his  feed  down, 
and  drink  more  than  the  wants  of  the  system  require.  I 
believe  it  might  be  safely  calculated  that  by  injudicious 
feeding  and  watering  an  average  of  five  years  on  the  life- 
time of  our  horses  is  lost.  Keep  the  horse's  stomach  and 
bowels  healthy  by  intelligent  and  judicious  feeding,  and  he 
will  seldom  need  medicine,  and,  what  is  quite  as  fortunate, 
will  hardly  ever  lie  down  and  die  of  any  of  those  quick  dis- 
eases which  destroy  so  jnany  horses  in  the  very  prime  of 
their  age  and  usefulness. 

THE  PERITONEUM. 

This  is  a  thin,  glistening  membrane,  which  lines  the  in- 
side of  the  cavity  of  the  abodmen,  and  folds  of  which  are 
thrown  around  all   the  different  parts  contained  within  the 


384  NAYIN    OX    THE    HOESE. 

belly.  It  is  attached  to  the  walls  of  the  belly,  and  to  the 
parts  enveloped  by  it,  by  delicate  cellular  tissue.  Its  free 
surfaces,  which  are  in  contact  with  each  other,  are  very 
smooth,  and  softened  by  a  fluid  which  they  secrete.  It  ad- 
mits of  the  freest  motion  among  the  bowels.  It  holds  the 
contents  of  the  belly  in  their  proper  place.  But  for  it  the 
guts  would  soon  become  entangled  and  knotted  by  their  own 
action,  as  does  sometimes  happen  when  it  is  broken  in  \do- 
lent  colic. 

THE  LIVER. 

The  liver  is  a  very  large  gland  of  a  dark,  reddish  brown 
color.  It  is  principally  situated  to  the  right  side  of  the 
cavity  of  the  belly,  behind  the  diaphragm.  It  is  divided 
into  three  parts,  or  lobes,  by  two  deep  grooves.  Its  forward 
side  is  convex,  or  rounded,  to  fit  the  shape  of  the  diaphragm. 
Its  left  lobe  is  in  contact  with  the  stomach,  the  pancreas, 
and  the  part  of  the  large  gut  which  stretches  across  the 
belly,  called  the  transverse  colon.  Its  middle  lobe  below 
is  crossed  by  the  pancreas.  The  right  lobe  is  in  contact 
with  the  right  kidney,  the  pancreas,  the  duodenum,  and  the 
transverse  colon.  It  is  held  in  place  by  four  ligaments  and 
the  folds  of  the  peritoneum  over  it. 

The  use  of  the  liver  is  to  secrete  or  manufacture  bile.  The 
bile  is  formed  in  the  liver  and  carried  away  from  it  by  the  bil- 
iary duct,  which  pours  it  into  the  gut  called  the  duodenum, 
about  five  or  six  inches  from  the  stomach.  The  horse  has  no 
gall-bladder,  as  most  animals  have.  The  bile  is  poured  into 
the  bowel  as  fast  as  it  is  formed,  instead  of  being  collected  in 
quantity  in  a  gall-bladder.  A  great  quantity  of  blood  is  poured 
into  the  liver  by  what  is  called  the  portal  vein.  This  blood  is 
brought  from  the  intestines,  spleen,  and  stomach.  It  is  purified, 
to  some  extent,  in  the  liver,  and  then  sent  on  to  the  heart  to  be 
sent  to  the  lungs. 

The  bile  is  a  very  important  fluid.     It  is  of  a  thick,  dark- 


THE  SrLEEX— THE  PANCREAS— THE  KIDNEYS.     385 

green  color.  It  first  causes  the  fluid,  into  which  the  food  is 
changed  in  the  stomach,  to  separate  into  two  parts  as  it  mixes 
with  it,  the  one  being  the  chyle,  which  is  fit  to  be  taken  up  to 
nourish  the  system,  the  other  being  the  part  unfit  for  use. 

The  bile  is  the  natural  physic  of  the  animal.  It  also  pre- 
vents the  food  from  fermenting  in  the  intestines. 

The  liver  is  liable  to  inflammation,  and,  ceasing  to  act  prop- 
erly, causes  jaundice. 

THE  SPLEEN. 

The  spleen  is  a  large,  spongy  organ,  of  a  purple-gray  color, 
broad  and  thick  at  the  larger  end,  but  tapering  and  thinner  at 
the  smaller.  It  is  commonly  called  the  melt.  It  lies  along 
the  left  side  of  the  stomach,  between  it  and  the  short  ribs.  It 
also  lies  against  the  left  kidney. 

The  use  of  the  spleen  is  unknown.  It  has  been  removed 
from  animals  without  any  apparent  injury.  It  is  sometimes, 
greatly  enlarged  by  disease. 

THE  PANCREAS. 
The  pancreas  is  sometimes  known  by  the  name  of  the  swee^ 
dread.  It  is  of  a  whitish,  knotty  appearance.  It  is  long,  and 
of  irregular  thickness.  It  lies  between  the  stomach  and  left, 
kidney,  stretching  across  between  the  lower  and  one  of  the^ 
curves  of  the  large  gut.  It  has  a  duct  which  opens  into  the- 
intestine  at  the  same  place  as  that  from  the  liver  The  pan- 
creas secretes  a  fluid  which  is  concerned  in  digestion,  but  just, 
what  part  it  performs  is  not  known. 

THE  KIDNEYS. 

The  kidneys  are  two  thick,  flattened,  broad,  rather  long 

bodies,  of  a  dark,  reddish  color,  situated  in  the  small  of  the 

back  one  on  each  side  of  the  spine,  the  right  kidney  being  sit- 

uaf^/l  furthest  forward.     The  right  kidney  is  in  contact  with 

25 


386  T^AYIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

the  liver ;  the  left  with  the  spleen  and  stomach.  The  kidney 
is  not  a  solid  body,  but  it  has  a  funnel-shaped  cavity,  or  hollow, 
in  it,  which  opens  into  a  tube  leading  to  the  bladder,  called  the 
ureter.  A  large  artery  is  sent  to  each  kidney,  by  which  a  large 
part  of  the  blood  is  caused  to  circulate  through  it. 

The  office  of  the  kidneys  is  to  secrete  the  urine,  or  water. 
In  this  I'troccss  a  very  poisonous  substance,  called  urea,  is  sep- 
arated from  the  blood ;  also,  several  other  substances  wdiich 
would  be  injurious  to  the  system,  if  left  in  the  blood.  Along 
with  these  a  large  quantity  of  water  is  also  separated  from  the 
blood. 

The  kidneys  are  liable  to  inflammation  and  some  other  dis- 
-eases  not  very  well  understood. 

The  urine,  or  water,  is  subject  to  very  great  changes  in  quan- 
tity, appearance,  and  composition,  even  in  health,  and  much 
more  so  in  disease.  There  are  many  medicines  which  act  on 
the  kidneys,  increasing  the  flow  of  water  and  changing  its 
•character.  These  medicines  are  called  diuretics.  They  are 
very  useful  in  treating  the  diseases  of  the  horse. 

Kidneij  Staggers. — This  is  a  type  of  staggers  met  with  in 
some  parts  of  the  world.  It  is  frequently  met  with  in  Ireland 
"but,  as  it  seldom,  if  ever,  occurs  in  this  country,  I  shall  merely 
give  the  history  of  one  case  which  came  under  my  observa- 
tion, and  which  will  give  a  sufficiently  accurate  idea  of  the 
disease. 

My  father  had  a  mare  that  took  this  disease  a  few  days 
after  being  used  to  haul  turf  about  half  a  mile.  There  was 
no  obstruction  in  the  way  from  the  jilacc  where  the  fuel  was 
got  to  where  it  was  hauled.  When  the  mare  was  attacked, 
she  commenced  walking  back  and  forth,  just  as  she  had  done 
when  at  work,  but  at  a  heavy,  staggering  gait,  and  at  noon 
would  go  to  the  place  where  she  had  been  fed,  but  would  eat 
nothing,  and  after  awhile  renew  her  accustomed  walk  between 
"the  two  places.  She  continued  this  for  over  two  days,  evi- 
dently becoming  more  and  more  exhausted.     When  turned 


THE   BLADDER.  387 

from  her  course  shortly,  she  would  fall,  evidently  from  weak- 
ness of  the  hind-parts.  On  the  second  day  she  was  bled,  but 
without  doing  any  good.  On  the  third  day  I  gave  her  quite 
half  a  gallon  of  lime-water,  and  she  began  to  mend  immedi- 
ately. '  I  have  found  this  remedy  effectual,  ever  since,  in  this 
disease.'  This  differs  from  other  kinds  of  staggers  in  the 
mental  symptoms.  The  horse's  mind  seems  good  enough, 
generally,  but  he  labors  under  a  delusion,  thinking  that  he  is 
still  laboring  at  whatever  work  he  last  performed.  It  is  per- 
haps occasioned  by  some  derangement  of  the  kidneys,  the 
brain  sympathizing.  This  is  most  likely  produced  by  the 
animal  getting  too  much  salt  with  his  grass  for  a  considerable 
time,  as  is  often  the  case  in  those  districts  bordering  on  the 
ocean,  where  all  vegetation  is  ready  salted  by  the  dew  and 
spray. 

THE    BLADDER. 

The  bladder  is  a  sack  composed  of  a  very  elastic  membrane 
of  a  white  color,  and  which  is  situated  in  the  back  part  of  the 
cavity  of  the  belly,  beneath  the  rectum,  or  last  gut.  It  is  of  a 
pear  shape,  and  two  small  tubes  enter  into  its  larger  part,  or 
body.  These  are  the  ureters,  two  small  tubes,  or  ducts,  one  of 
which  comes  from  each  kidney,  and  which  convey  the  urine 
from  the  kidneys  into  the  bladder.  When  there  is  no  urine  in 
the  bladder  it  is  very  small,  but  when  it  is  full  it  holds  several 
quarts.  One  large  tube  starts  from  the  bladder  at  its  small 
end,  which  is  called  the  urethra.  Its  use  is  to  carry  the  urine 
away  from  the  bladder. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  bladder  is  to  receive  the 
urine.  It  is  retained  in  it  as  a  sort  of  reservoir,  until  by  an 
effort  of  the  will,  the  tube  leading  from  the  bladder  is  opened, 
when  the  water  is  ejected  in  a  stream  by  the  contracting  jx>wer 
of  the  muscular  coat  of  the  bladder.  The  bladder  is  liable  to 
inflammation,  and  stones  sometimes  form  in  it. 

The  urethra  passes  down  the  organ  called  the  penis  in  the 


388  "         NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

male,  and  terminates  at  its  point  in  an  open  mouth.  It  is  of 
considerable  length.  ,ln  the  female  it  is  shorter,  and  passes 
back  along  the  under  side  of  the  wide  channel  leading  to  the 
womb,  or  uterus. 


OEGANS  OF  EEPEODUCTION. 


These  are  very  complicated  parts,  both  in  the  male  and  fe 
male.  But,  however  interesting  might  be  the  study  of  them, 
the  object  of  this  work  will  only  allow  a  hasty  reference  to 
them. 

The  male  organs  of  generation  are  the  penis,  with  the  urethra 
running  along  its  under  side,  the  testicles,  with  their  apjiend- 
ages,  situated  in  the  scrotum,  or  sack,  between  the  thighs,  and 
the  tubes  leading  from  the  testicle  to  the  urethra.  The  semen 
is  formed  in  the  testicle  and  thrown  into  the  urethra  through 
these  tubes. 

The  female  organs  of  generation  are  a  very  curious  set  of  or- 
gans. They  consist  of  the  prominence  starting  just  below  the 
fundament  and  extending  four  or  five  inches  doAvnward,  called 
the  bearing,  and  which  is  marked  by  a  fissure,  or  opening. 
This  opening  leads  into  the  wide  tube  which  leads  to  the  womb, 
or  uterus,  and  is  called  the  vagina.  Lying  just  within  the 
opening  of  the  vagina  is  a  spongy  body  called  the  clitoris,  which 
resembles  the  head  of  the  male  penis,  and  like  it  becomes  larger 
and  hard  when  the  animal  passion  is  excited.  It  is  the  seat  of 
the  pleasurable  sensation  in  the  act  of  union  of  the  male  and 
female. 

The  vagina,  as  just  stated,  is  a  large  tube  leading  to  the 
womb.  It  lies  between  the  bladder  and  rectum.  It  is  about 
eighteen  inches  in  length. 

The  womb  is  a  somewhat  long,  muscular  body,  situated  at  the 


ORGANS   OF   EEPEODUCTIOX.  389 

termination  of  the  vagina,  its  mouth  opening  into  the  vagina. 
The  cavity  of  the  womb  is  designed  for  the  fetus,  or  foal,  before 
birth.  The  womb  is  a  comparatively  small  body  when  there 
is  nothing  in  it,  but  becomes  very  large  as  the  foal  approaches 
the  time  of  birth.  Two  horn-like  prominences  arise  from  the 
womb,  one  on  each  side,  from  which  arise  two  tubes,  each  of 
which  winds  its  waj^  to  the  ovaries,  two  egg-shaped  bodies,  one 
situated  in  each  loin.  These  bodies  contain  the  ovum,  or  egg, 
which,  if  brought  in  contact  with  the  semen  of  the  male  at  the 
proper  time,  will  descend  the  little  tube  into  the  womb  and 
stop  there,  becoming  attached  to  the  ^vall  of  the  womb,  and  be- 
come a  living  foal.  One  of  these  eggs  becomes  ripe,  so  to 
speak,  every  time  the  mare  is  in  season.  If  she  is  not  served 
by  the  horse  at  this  time,  the  egg  that  had  become  ripe  passes 
into  the  womb,  but  does  not  stop  there,  but  passes  out  at  the 
mouth  of  the  womb,  and  is  lost. 

The  process  of  reproduction  is  this :  The  semen,  the  white 
fluid  which  the  male  furnishes,  is  thrown  into  the  womb,  and 
from  it  passes  up  the  fallojnan  tube  to  the  ovary,  or  egg-sack, 
and  there  comes  in  contact  with  a  mature  or  ripe  egg,  called 
an  ovum,  Avhich  immediately  takes  on  a  new  life  of  its  own.  It 
is  then  said  to  be  impregnated.  The  impregnated  ovum  then 
descends  by  the  fallopian  tube  into  the  womb,  becomes  attached 
to  the  walls  of  the  womb,  and  rapidly  commences  to  form  the 
living  animal,  or  fetus.  It  remains  in  the  womb  for  the  space 
of  eleven  months,  when  all  the  parts  of  the  foal  are  sufficiently 
developed,  and  it  is  then  expelled  from  the  womb  by  a  powerful 
contraction  of  the  womb  itself,  and  all  the  muscles  of  the  chest 
and  abdomen  acting  together. 


390  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 


THE  BLOOD-VESSELS. 

These  are  the  heart,  arteries,  'veins,  and  capillaries.  They 
form  the  channel  through  which  the  blood  circulates. 

The  heart  is  a  pear-shaped  body  of  considerable  size,  situated 
mostly  in  the  left  side  of  the  chest.  Its  larger  end  is  forward, 
while  its  pointed  end  is  directed  backward  and  toward  the  left 
side.  The  heart  is  a  large,  muscular  organ,  having  four  cavi- 
ties, or  chambers,  called  the  right  and  left  ventricles,  and  the 
right  and  left  auricles.  The  ventricles  have  thick,  strong,  mus- 
cular walls ;  the  left  the  stronger  of  the  two.  The  auricles 
have  thin  walls.  The  heart  is  surrounded  by  a  tough,  elastic 
membrane,  called  the  pericardium,  which  is  attached  to  the  di- 
aphragm and  the  large  blood-vessels  in  front. 

Two  great  blood-vessels  pass  out  from  the  heart.  Both  are 
arteries,  one  called  the  aorta,  and  the  other  the  pulmonary  ar- 
tery. These  arise  from  the  ventricles.  Three  blood-vessels  re- 
turn to  the  right  auricle,  and  two  to  the  left.  The  first  of  these  is 
the  vena  cava.  The  other  two  are  the  pulmonary  veins.  There 
is  an  opening  between  the  right  auricle  and  right  ventricle,  and 
also  between  the  left  auricle  and  left  ventricle ;  but  the  two 
sides  of  the  heart  are  separated  by  a  perfect  partition.  The 
opening  between  the  auricle  and  ventricle  is  closed  by  valves — 
between  the  right  auricle  and  ventricle,  called  the  tricuspid 
valves ;  between  the  left  auricle  and  ventricle,  the  mitral 
valves.  The  opening  of  the  large  arteries  leading  from  the 
ventricles  are  closed  by  three  valves,  called  the  semilunar 
(Jialf-moon)  valves.  The  blood  can  pass  through  the  valves  in 
the  proper  direction,  but  can  not  flow  back  through  them. 

The  blood,  loaded  with  impurities,  is  brought  irom  all  parts 
of  the  body,  by  the  veins  and  from  the  twf>  vena  cava,  is  poured 
into  the  right  auricle,  which  contracts  and  forces  the  blood 
through  the  tricuspid  valves  into  the  right  ventricle.  This 
then  contracts  and  forces  it  through  the  semilunar  valves  intc 


THE   BLOOD-VESSELS.  391 

the  pulmonary  artery,  by  which  it  is  carried  to  the  lungs, 
where  it  is  exposed  to  the  air,  and  its  color  changed  from  a  dark, 
bluish  red  to  a  bright  scarlet,  and  all  impurities  removed.  It 
is  then  carried  back  to  the  left  auricle  by  the  pulmonary  veins, 
and  from  the  left  auricle  it  is  forced  through  the  mitral  valves 
into  the  left  ventricle,  which  contracts  and  forces  it  through  the 
semilunar  valves,  at  the  mouth  of  the  aorta,  into  the  aorta,  to 
be  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  body,  and  again  returned  to  the 
heart  b}^  the  veins,  to  traverse  the  same  rounds  as  before. 

It  is  easy  to  see  how  the  arteries,  after  starting  from  the 
heart  in  one  trunk,  divide  and  divide  again,  like  the  branches 
of  a  tree,  and  how  the  veins  return,  like  many  little  streams 
flowing  into  still  larger  ones,  and  finally  terminating  in  one 
large  stream ;  but  it  is  not  so  easy  to  see  how  the  blood  gets 
from  the  fine  branches  of  the  arteries  into  those  of  the  veins. 
This  is  effected  by  means  of 

The  Capillaries. — These  are  a  sort  of  net-work  of  little  ves- 
sels, too  small  to  be  seen  by  the  naked  eye,  which  run  through 
every  j^art  to  which  blood  goes,  and  which  form  the  connection 
between  the  arteries  and  veins. 

The  branches  of  the  arteries  frequently  unite  with  each 
other  in  their  course,  and  the  veins  much  more  frequently; 
so  that  if  one  branch  should  get  clogged  up,  the  other  will  sup- 
ply the  parts  with  blood. 

The  Arteries. — I  shall  only  attempt  to  give  a  general  idea  of 
the  most  important  branches  of  the  arteries.  I  shall  not  bur- 
den the  reader  with  their  unfamiliar  names,  but  merely  indicate 
their  locality. 

The  great  aorta,  after  leaving  the  left  ventricle,  gives  oif  a 
small  branch  which  supplies  the  substance  of  the  heart  with 
blood.  A  little  further,  and  it  divides  into  the  anterior,  or  for- 
ward, aorta  and  the  posterior,  or  hinder,  aorta. 

The  forward  aorta  divides  into  two  other  branches,  called 
the  right  and  left  innominata.     These  give  oif  branches  which 


392  NAVIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

go  to  the  breast,  neck,  head,  brain,  and  fore-limbs.  Some  of 
these  deserve  particular  notice. 

The  left  of  these  divisions  is  lost  in  a  number  of  branches, 
or  trunks,  which  are  distributed  to  various  parts  of  the  chest, 
shoulder,  back  part  of  the  neck,  and  left  fore-limb.  The  most 
important  of  these  branches  is  the  one  which  supplies  the  left 
fore-limb.  It  is  the  aocillary  artery,  or  artery  of  the  armpit. 
It  comes  out  of  the  chest,  by  a  sudden  turn  around  the  first 
rib,  and  takes  a  direction  outward  and  backward,  and  reaches 
the  head  of  the  upper  arm-bone,  and  is  then  called  the  brach- 
ial artery.  This  artery  gives  off  many  branches  to  supply 
the  muscles  of  the  chest  and  shoulder.  The  branch  called  the 
humeral  passes  down  the  back  side  of  the  humerus,  or  upper 
arm-bone,  giving  off  branches,  and  finally  divides  into  three 
branches,  the  principal  of  which  continues  down  the  lower  arm^ 
bone,  until  a  short  distance  above  the  knee,  when  it  divides 
into  two  branches,  the  smaller  one  passing  by  the  inner  and 
back  part  of  the  knee,  and  terminating  in  several  branches. 
The  larger  of  these  arteries  continues  on  down  below  the  knee, 
along  the  principal  tendons  at  the  back  of  the  cannon-bone, 
down  to  the  fetlock,  where  it  divides  into  three  branches. 
These  send  off  many  branches  to  supply  the  parts  about  the 
pasterns  and  within  the  foot. 

The  right  division  of  the  forward  aorta  is  much  the  largest. 
It  first  gives  off  branches  similar  to  those  of  the  left  division 
just  described,  to  be  distributed  to  the  chest,  neck,  shoulder, 
and  right  fore-limb.  Its  principal  division  then  becomes  what 
is  called 

The  common  carotid  artery,  which  passes  out  at  the  forward 
part  of  the  chest,  and  there  divides  into 

The  right  and  left  carotid  arteries,  which  pass  up  the  neck, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  windpipe,  until  they  reach  its  upper 
portion  or  larynx.  Here  each  carotid  divides  into  two 
branches,  the  one  called  the  internal  carotid  artery  and  the 
other  the  external.     The  internal  is  distributed  to  the  brain 


THE   BLOOD-VESSELS.  393 

and  other  parts  in  the  head;  the  external,  hj  its  numerous 
branches,  is  distributed  to  the  various  parts  of  the  head,  face, 
and  parts  within  the  mouth.  Of  its  branches,  the  largest  is 
called  the  suhmaxillarij,  which  passes  forward  under  the  angle 
of  the  lower  jaw,  and  at  about  one-third  of  the  way  forward 
curves  across  the  bone  to  the-  outside  of  it,  to  go  to  the  face 
and  nose.  It  is  just  where  this  artery  crosses  the  jaw  that 
the  pulse  of  the  horse  may  be  most  conveniently  felt,  by  grasp- 
ing the  jaw  with  the  hand,  and  with  the  points  of  the  fingers 
under  it  resting  on  the  artery. 

The  Jilnder,  or  j^osterior,  aorta  starts  from  even  with  the 
dorsal  vertebrae,  passes  upward  and  backward  to  the  under 
side  of  the  spine,  with  which  it  lies  in  contact,  as  far  back  as 
the  lumbar  vertebrae,  where  it  divides  into  four  large  branches. 
In  its  course,  however,  it  gives  off  several  branches  and  pairs 
of  branches.  The  first  two,  called  hroncMal  a7'teries,  pass  into 
the  lungs  along  with  the  bronchial  tubes,  to  supply  the  lungs 
with  blood.  The  next  branch  goes  to  the  gullet,  sending  twigs 
to  parts  in  its  neighborhood.  The  next  are  several  pairs, 
which  go  to  the  spaces  between  the  ribs.  As  it  passes  from 
the  chest  into  the  abdomen,  the  aorta  gives  off  the  large  branch 
which  supplies  the  diaphragm.  Further  back  it  gives  off  one 
large,  short  branch,  called  the  coeliac  artery,  which  divides  into 
three  branches,  one  going  to  the  spleen,  another  to  the  stom-^ 
ach,  and  the  other  to  the  liver. 

The  next  branch  starts  from  the  under  side  of  the  aorta, 
passes  downward,  and  divides  into  from  eight  to  twelve 
branches,  which  supply  the  intestines,  and  the  great  folded 
membrane,  called  the  mesentery,  which  enfolds  them.  These 
are  called  the  mesenteric  arteries. 

The  renal  arteries  are  the  next  pair.  One  goes  to  each  kid- 
ney. The  next  are  the  sjyermatic  arteries,  which,  in  the  male, 
go  to  the  testicles;  in  the  female,  to  those  bodies  called  the 
ovaries,  and  the  tubes  which  connect  them  to  the  uterus,  or 
womb. 


394  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

The  next  are  five  or  six  pairs  of  branches,  which  are  sent  to 
the  loins. 

Just  below  the  last  bone  of  the  loins  the  posterior  aorta 
divides  into  two  pairs  of  arteries,  called  the  external  and  in- 
ternal iliac  arteries. 

The  internal  divides  into  three  branches,  which  are  distrib- 
uted to  the  quarters,  the  rectum,  or  last  gut,  and  the  muscles 
of  the  tail. 

The  external  iliac  passes  from  its  origin,  outward  and  down- 
ward, into  the  muscles  of  the  inside  of  the  thigh,  giving  off,  in 
its  course,  a  number  of  branches,  which  are  sent  to  the  parts 
through  which  it  passes.  After  reaching  the  upper  or  proper 
thigh,  the  main  trunk  takes  the  name  of  the  femoral  artery, 
which  passes  obliquely  clown  the  haunch,  until  it  comes  oppo- 
site the  head  of  the  lower  thigh-bone,  or  tibia,  when  it  branches 
into  arteries,  called  the  anterior  (forward)  and  ijosterior  (back- 
ward) tibial  arteries.  The  latter  is  the  smaller  of  the  two,  and 
passes  down  the  back  of  the  thigh  to  the  hough,  where  it  divides 
into  two  branches  which  supply  muscles  engaged  in  flexing 
the  foot.  A  branch  of  this  artery  runs  as  far  down  as  the 
lower  end  of  the  cannon-bone,  and  ends  in  many  small  twigs. 

The  anterior  tibial  artery,  near  the  stifle-joint,  gives  off  the 
inguinal  artery,  or  artery  of  the  groin,  and  several  other 
smaller  branches,  to  supply  the  parts  about  the  joint,  and  the 
muscles  below  it.  From  the  neighborhood  of  the  stifle,  it 
passes  down  the  front  of  the  thigh  to  the  hough,  below  which  it 
changes  its  name  to  metatarsal  artery,  and  about  two-thirds  of  ' 
the  way  down  the  cannon,  it  gets  to  the  back  of  the  bone,  and, 
a  little  above  the  fetlock,  ends  in  three  branches,  w^hich  divide 
into  many  small  branches,  to  supply  the  pasterns  and  foot. 

THE  VEINS. 

I  have  described  the  arteries  as  starting  at  the  heart  and 
proceeding  from  it  to  every  part  of  the  animal  body,  and  their 
use  to  carry  the  blood  from  the  heart  outward.     Xow,  as  the 


THE    YEIXS.  395 

veins  carry  the  blood  to  the  heart,  I  shall  describe  them  as 
commencing  by  their  branches  and  running  toward  the  heart. 
I  shall  take  up  but  little  space  with  them,  only  pointing  out  a 
few  of  the  principal  trunks.  Nearly  every  artery  has  its  cor- 
resjDonding  vein  in  the  same  neighborhood.  The  veins  lie 
much  nearer  the  surface  or  outside,  generally,  than  the  arteries. 
The  walls  of  the  veins  are  soft,  and  when  the  blood  is  out  of 
them  they  collapse,  or  the  sides  fall  together. 

The  Veins  of  ilie  Head  and  Neck. — Imj^ortant  branches  run 
along  the  bars  of  the  mouth,  which  are  opened  sometimes  for 
the  purpose  of  bleeding.  Of  the  branches  coming  from  the 
face,  six  from  the  upper  part  unite  Avith  the  internal  maxillary 
vein^  and  eight  from  the  lotver  jaw  with  the  submaxillary. 
These  two  unite  with  the  jugular  "vein,  or  great  vein  of  the 
neck.  Eleven  other  branches,  from  the  head,  neck,  and  inner 
part  of  the  shoulder,  empty  into  the  jugular  vein. 

The  jugular  vein  passes  from  behind  that  part  of  the  lower 
jaw  which  unites  with  other  bones  below  the  ear  to  form  the 
joint.  It  then  passes  back  by  the  side  of  the  carotid  artery, 
to  within  the  chest,  where  it  unites  with  the  vena  cava,  (ante- 
rior or  forward  vein),  which  empties  into  the  right  auricle  of 
the  heart. 

There  are  two  jugular  veins  in  the  horse,  one  on  each  side 
of  the  neck.  It  is  the  jugular  vein  which  is  opened  in  bleed- 
ing, a  little  way  below  where  the  submaxillary  vein  unites  with 
it,  and  which  is  about  one-third  of  the  way  back  on  the  neck, 
wdiere  the  vein  comes  close  to  the  skin. 

Another  large  vein  arises  from  branches  within  the  skull, 
and  passes  back  along  the  neck-bones,  receiving  branches  from 
the  deep  muscles,  and  finally  empties  into  the  anterior  vena  caA^a. 

Veins  of  the  Fore-limb. — These  commence  in  the  foot  by 
many  hundred  branches,  Avhich  are  the  A^eins  of  the  frog,  sole, 
and  lamellae,  and  other  parts  Avithin  the  hoof.  These  unite  as 
they  reach  the  pasterns  on  their  upAvard  course,  forming  the 
two  branches  of  the  plantar  vehiy  Avhich  unites  with  other  veins 


396  NAVIX   ON   THE   HORSE. 

and  passes  up,  forming  the  metacarpal  veins,  which  pass  up  the 
leg,  one,  on  each  side,  until  they  reach  the  back  part  of  the 
knee,  when  they  spread  out  into  several  branches,  which  again 
come  together  above  the  knee,  forming  two  branches,  called 
the  radial  veins,  or  veins  of  the  arm.  The  principal  one 
passes  up  the  inside  of  the  arm  to  the  elbow,  where  it,  having 
received  the  ulna  veins,  and  a  few  other  branches,  unites  with 
the  smaller  radial  vein  and  forms  the  humeral  vein,  or  vein  of 
the  upper  arm,  which  accompanies  the  artery  of  this  part 
through  the  deep-seated  muscles  to  the  inner  and  back"  part  of 
the  humerus,  up  to  where  this  bone  joins  with  the  shoulder. 
At  this  place  the  humeral  vein  becomes  the  axillary  vein,  or 
vein  of  the  armpit,  which  receives  several  other  branches  of 
considerable  size  from  the  muscles  of  the  chest  and  shoulder, 
and  finally  terminates  within  the  chest  in  the  anterior  vena  cava. 
There  are  three  other  branches  which  emjDty  into  the  vena 
cava.     They  come  from  the  muscles  of  the  chest  and  spine. 

The  anterior  vena  cava  is  a  short,  large  trunk,  within  the  fore- 
part of  the  chest.  It  receives,  as  we  have  seen,  the  jugular 
veins,  the  axillary  veins  from  each  fore-limb,  a  large  vein  on 
each  side  from  the  chest,  also  from  the  neck,  and  two  other 
pairs  from  the  region  of  the  withers,  and  another  pair  from  the 
muscles  of  the  ribs.  The  anterior  vena  cava  emj^ties  into  the 
right  auricle;  so,  also,  does  the  coronary  vein,  which  comes 
from  the  body  of  the  heart  itself. 

Branches  of  the  Posterior  Vena  Cava. — The  innumerable  veins 
within  the  hind-foot,  just  as  in  the  fore-foot,  pass  up  to  the 
pasterns,  and,  by  their  union,  form  the  plantar  veins,  external 
and  internal.  These  unite  and  form  the  principal  vein  before 
the  hough,  the  large  metatarsal,  which  passes  behind  the  can- 
non, and  by  the  side  of  the  back  tendons,  and  forward  over  the 
inside  of  the  hough.  The  continuations  of  its  branches  above 
the  hough  unite  and  form  the  anterior  tibial  veins,  which  receive 
one  other  large  branch,  and  i:)ass  up  between  the  tibia  and 
fibula  to  the  back  of  the  head  of  the  femur. 


THE    YEIXS.  397 

The  ^posterior  tibial  vein  results  from  the  union  of  the  small 
metatarsal  vein  and  two  others.  It  passes  up  the  back  part  of 
the  thigh,  and  terminates  in  the  femoral  vein.  The  femoral 
also  receives,  from  the  parts  below,  the  medullary,  the  mus- 
cular, and  the  saphena  major  and  minor. 

The  greater  saphenous  vein  arises  low  down  on  the  leg  and 
passes  up  close  to  the  skin,  crossing  the  inside  of  the  hough, 
and  proceeding  up  the  inside  of  the  thigh  to  empty  into  the 
femoral  vein.  An  enlargement  of  this  vein,  as  it  reaches  the 
hough,  constitutes  blood-spavin. 

The  Femoral  Vein. — This  large  vein  is  formed  by  the  union 
of  the  principal  veins  from  below.  It  runs  behind  the  femoral 
artery,  and  ends  in  the  external  iliac.  In  its  course  it  receives 
several  branches. 

The  external  iliac  vein,  after  receiving  the  femoral,  the  vein  of 
the  groin  and  of  the  belly,  and  another  large  branch,  enters 
the  cavity  of  the  abdomen,  to  help  form  the  common  iliac  vein. 

The  internal  iliac  vein  is  formed  by  the  union  of  two  veins, 
each  of  which  has  several  branches,  coming  from  the  tail,  the 
rump,  the  parts  between  the  thighs,  aftd  about  the  fundament. 

The  common  iliac  vein  is  formed  by  the  union  of  the  external 
and  internal  iliac  veins.  It  also  receives  three  other  branches. 
It  and  its  mate  of  the  opposite  side  unite  under  the  last  ver- 
tebra of  the  loins  to  form  the  commencement  of  the  posterior 
vena  cava. 

The  posterior  vena  cava  passes  under  the  bodies  of  the  bones 
of  the  loins,  and  on  into  the  chest,  passing  across  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  right  auricle,  into  which  it  empties.  In  its  course  it 
receives  large  veins  coming  from  the  loins,  the  genital  organs, 
the  kidneys,  the  liver,  and  diaphragm. 

The  blood  from  the  digestive  organs  is  carried  from  them  by 
a  great  number  of  veins,  uniting  in  one  common  trunk,  called 
the  portal  vein,  and  which  empties  into  the  liver.  It  under- 
goes in  the  liver  a  purifying  process,  and  is  then  carried  on  to 
the  vena  cava  by  the  vein  going  from  the  liver  to  it. 


398  navi:n^  on  the  horse. 

I  have  thus  described  the  general  outlines  of  the  distribution 
of  the  blood-vessels,  but  there  are  thousands  of  twigs  of  arteries 
and  veins  I  have  not  mentioned.  I  have  spoken  of  three  kinds 
of  blood-vessels — the  arteries  and  veins,  and  the  fine  net-work 
of  capillaries  (hair-like  vessels)  connecting  them.  It  remains 
to  point  out  the  uses  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  for  which 
these  vessels  are  designed.  But,  before  proceeding  to  this  sub- 
ject, I  will  remark  that  the  heart,  which  is  the  central  organ  of 
the  circulation  of  the  blood,  is  subject  to  several  diseases,  as 
softening  of  its  walls,  thickening  of  the  same,  inflammation, 
both  of  itself  and  investing  sack. 

The  large  arteries  near  the  heart,  and  also  their  valves,  are 
liable  to  become  changed  into  bone  or  cartilage.  The  walls  of 
arteries  sometimes  become  partially  broken,  giving  rise  to  large 
pulsating,  or  beating,  tumors,  called  aneurisms. 

The  veins  are  liable  to  inflammation,  which  is  sometimes 
caused  by  bleeding.  They  may  become  ruptured  or  broken. 
They  are  also  liable  to  become  enlarged,  as  in  blood-spavin,  etc. 

Both  arteries  and  veins  may  be  cut  by  accident.  If  an 
artery  is  cut,  the  blood  flows  in  jets,  and  is  of  a  bright  color ; 
if  a  vein,  the  blood  runs  in  an  even  stream,  and  is  of  a  dark 
color.     (For  proper  treatment  seethe  article  on  "Wounds.") 

CIRGULATIOX   OF  THE  BLOOD. 

"Of  the  flesh  the  blood  is  the  life  thereof."  It  contains 
every  thing  that  is  necessary  for  building  up  and  repairing 
every  part  of  the  animal  body,  from  the  hardest  bones  to  the 
softest  parts  of  the  system.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  fluid  of  a 
red  color.  Its  redness  depends  on  what  are  called  the  red  cor- 
puscles. As  the  blood  circulates  through  the  capillaries,  it 
loses  the  oxygen  which  it  took  up  in  the  lungs,  and  becomes 
charged  with  carbonic  acid  gas  and  other  impurities,  and 
changed  to  a  dark  color.  It  is  then  carried  on  to  the  heart  by 
the  veins,  and  from  there  sent  to  the  lungs,  where  the  car- 
bonic acid,  and  some  other  impurities,  are  given  oif,  and  the 


CIRCULATION   OF   TPIE   BLOOD.  399 

blood  again  charged  with  oxygen,  and  becomes  of  a  bright 
scarlet  color.  If  the  carbonic  acid,  which  the  blood  takes  up 
as  it  circulates  through  the  body,  were  not  thrown  off,  death 
would  soon  take  place.  Neither  could  life  continue  for  more 
than  a  few  seconds  if  oxygen  were  not  mixed  with  the  blood  in 
the  lungs.  Now,  oxygen  is  one  of  the  two  gases  which  are 
mixed  together  to  form  the  air  which  all  animals  breathe.  It 
is  called  vital  air.  If  the  air  which  the  animal  breathes  is 
not  fresh  and  pure,  there  will  not  be  the  proper  quantity  of 
oxygen  taken  into  the  lungs,  and  the  animal  must  suffer  from 
its  want.  Hence  the  importance  of  keeping  stables  clean  and 
supplied  with  fresh  air.  The  blood  contains  every  thing  neces- 
sary for  repairing  the  worn-out  j^arts  of  the  body,  and  which, 
as  it  flows  through  the  system,  are  deposited,  or  left,  exactly 
where  they  are  needed.  But,  it  may  be  asked,  where  does  the 
blood  get  these  particles  fit  for  supplying  this  waste?  It  gets 
part  of  them  from  the  food ;  after  it  is  digested  in  the  stomach, 
and  as  it  passes  through  the  bowels,  it  is  absorbed  into 
the  veins.  Also,  the  w^orn-out  particles  of  the  system  are 
taken  up  by  a  set  of  vessels  called  lacteals,  and  by  them  car- 
ried back  into  the  blood,  and  again  fitted  for  the  repair  of  the 
body.  But  those  parts  that  have  become  utterly  unfit  for  any 
purpose  are  thrown  ofP  from  the  body  by  the  bowels,  skin,  lungs, 
or  kidneys,  in  the  form  of  dung,  sweat,  or  perspiration,  gases, 
and  urine,  or  water. 

The  quantity  of  blood  in  the  animal  is  generally  about  one- 
fifth  of  his  weight.  The  blood  contains  several  different  parts, 
of  which  water  is  the  largest.  But  the  most  important  are  the 
red  corpuscles,  albumen,  and  fibrine.  The  white  of  an  egg  is 
albumen,  but  that  in  the  blood  is  thinner.  Fibrine  is  a  white, 
stringy  substance.  It  may  be  obtained  by  taking  a  switch  and 
stirring  a  clot  of  blood,  and  then  washing  it.  It  is,  in  its  nat- 
ural state,  a  liquid,  but  as  the  blood  cools,  it  becomes  solid  little 
fibers,  or  threads,  which  cause  the  blood  to  clot. 

The  heat  of  the  animal  body  is  mainly  dependent  on  the 


400  NAVIN   OX    THE   HORSE. 

changes  wliicli  take  place  by  the  agency  of  the  blood.  The 
oxygen  which  the  blood  carries  from  the  lungs  unites  with  car- 
bon in  the  system  and  creates  heat,  just  as  the  oxygen  in  the 
air  unites  with  the  carbon  in  the  wood  and  produces  heat  in 
our  fireplaces.  There  are  many  other  interesting  things  con- 
nected with  the  consideration  of  the  blood,  but  the  purpose  of 
this  work  will  not  permit  their  further  consideration. 


THE  LYMPHATICS. 


1  HAVE  already  described  two  sets  of  vessels  distributed 
through  the  body,  but  there' is  yet  another  set  of  somewhat 
different  character.  They  are  called  lymphatics,  and  contain  a 
fluid  called  lymph,  which  they  secrete  from  the  parts  through 
which  they  pass.  They  present  the  appearance  of  a  knotted 
string,  or  a  tube  composed  of  innumerable  short  joints.  They 
frequently  unite  with  each  other,  as  the  cords  composing  the 
meshes  of  the  fish-net.  There  are  also  places  where  a  great 
number  of  these  vessels  unite  in  one  place,  forming  a  consider- 
able knot,  called  a  gland,  or  lymphatic  gland.  From  these 
glands  other  vessels  depart  and  continue  their  way  forward. 
There  are  main  channels  of  the  lymphatics,  as  of  the  arteries 
and  veins,  and  by  them  the  lymphatic  fluid  is  carried  on  to 
the  great  channel  which  passes  forward  beneath  the  spine,  to 
be  emptied  by  it  into  the  left  axillary  vein,  not  far  from  the 
heart,  by  which  means  this  fluid  is  mixed  with  the  blood. 
•  The  lymphatics  of  the  fleshy  part  of  the  body  are  arranged 
principally  in  two  layers — one  layer  near  the  skin,  the  other 
deep  in  the  muscles.  Each  of  the  internal  parts  is  supplied 
with  lymphatic  vessels. 

The  lymphatic  glands  are  more  numerous  along  the  jaws, 
neck,  flanks,  and  in  the  folds  of  the  membrane  which  surround 


EESPIRATORY,  OR  BREATHING,  ORGANS.        401 

the  intestines  than  in  other  parts.  These  glands  are  diseased 
in  farcy,  and  the  enlargement  of  those  near  the  skin  constitutes 
farcY-buds.  These  A^essels  take  up  any  fluid  that  may  be 
thrown  out  by  the  blood  not  necessary  for  repairing  the  sys- 
tem, as  also  the  worn-out  particles,  and  absorb  from  the  bowels 
a  part  of  the  digested  food  passing  through  them. 


EESPIKATOEY,  OE  BEEATHING,  OEGANS, 

These  are  the  larynx,  the  windpipe,  the  bronchial  tubes,  and 
the  lungs.  But  I  shall  describe  under  this  head  the  pleura,. 
which  is  only  indirectly  concerned  in  breathing. 

The  larpix  is  situated  in  the  throat  at  the  upper  part  of  the- 
windpipe,  between  the  back  part  of  the  sides  of  the  lower  jaw. 
It  is  the  beginning  of  the  air-passages.     It  is  composed  of  five 
pieces  of  cartilage,  bound  together  by  ligaments   and  mem- 
branes, forming  a  cavity  of  considerable  size,  which  is  continued 
back  into  the  windpipe,  and  opens  forward  to  admit  the  air 
from  the  back  openings  of  the  cavities  of  the  nose.     Its  for- 
ward opening  is  called  the  glottis,  which  is  a  long  slit,  or  open- 
ing, about  six  times  as  long  as  it  is  wide.     It  has  two  slips  of 
membrane  attached  to  the  back  part,  by  which  it  is  drawn  tight 
or  left  loose.     The  glottis  is  covered  by  the  ejnglottis,  which  is. 
a  cartilage  fitting  over/it  like  a  lid,  and  w^hich  raises  to  admit- 
air,  but  closes  against  any  thing  solid. 

The  glottis  and  the  cords  spoken  of,  called  vocal  cords,  art 
the  principal  agents  in  producing  the  voice.  But  the  whole 
larynx  is  somewhat  concerned  in  producing  the  voice. 

The  toindjpipe,  or  trachea,  is  a  tube  of  about  twenty-five  or 
thirty  inches  in  length.     It  extends  from  the  larynx  back  along 
the  lower  part  of  the  neck  between  the  tw^o  first  ribs,  and  term- 
inates in  two  branches,  called  the  bronchial  tubes,  under  the 
26 


402  NAYIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

curve  of  the  great  artery  leading  backward.  The  trachea  is 
composed  of  about  fifty  or  sixty  rings  of  cartilage,  so  united  as 
to  admit  of  considerable  motion  without  interfering,  to  any  con- 
siderable extent,  with  the  size  of  the  tube.  This  is  evident 
when  we  consider  the  degree  of  motion  the  horse's  neck  is  ca- 
pable of. 

The  hronchial  tuhes  are  the  two  branches  into  which  the  wind- 
pipe divides.  The  right  goes  to  the  right,  and  the  left  to  the  left 
lung.  After  reaching  the  lungs,  the  right  bronchial  tube  di- 
vides into  three  principal  branches,  and  the  left  into  two.  These 
branches  continue  to  send  off  branches  which  divide  and  sub- 
divide in  the  lungs  until  the  little  branches  become  so  small  as 
not  to  be  visible  to  the  naked  eye.  As  these  bronchial  divi- 
sions, or  ramifications,  proceed,  they  lose  more  and  more  of  the 
character  of  cartilage,  and  become  very  thin,  and  finally  appear 
•to  be  only  a  continuation  of  the  inside  lining  mucous  mem- 
brane, which  finally  ends  in  a  closed  sack  of  less  than  the  size 
•of  a  millet-seed.     These  little  sacks  are  called  air-cells. 

I  have  just  spoken  oi  the  mucous  membrane  ivMch  lines  the  air- 
passages  from  the  larynx  down  through  the  trachea,  bronchial 
tubes,  and  bronchial  ramifications,  or  divisions,  and  which 
.finally  ends  in  the  little  sacks  called  the  air-cells.  This  mem- 
brane secretes  mucus  for  the  protection  of  the  air-passages. 
When  irritated,  as  in  colds,  its  secretion  of  mucus  becomes 
much  increased.  This  membrane  is  liable  to  inflammation, 
and  this  may  begin  in  any  of  its  different  parts.  When  it 
starts  in  the  larynx,  the  inflammation  is  called  laryngitis ;  in 
the  bronchial  tubes,  it  is  called  bronchitis. 

The  lungs,  or  lights,  are  two  large,  spongy  bodies  of  a  pinkish 
hue,  one  situated  in  the  right  and  the  other  in  the  left  side  of 
the  chest.  The  right  is  the  larger  of  the  two,  and  is  composed 
of  three  divisions,  or  lobes  ;  the  left  is  the  smaller  and  only  di- 
vided into  two  lobes.  They  are  separated  from  each  other  by 
-the  heart  and  a  broad  fold  of  the  pleura,  called  the  mediastinum. 
They  are  held  in  place  by  blood-vessels,  the  division  of  the 


RESPIRATORY,    OR  BREATHING,   ORGANS.  403 

windpipe,  and  that  part  of  the  pleura  which  divides  the  chest. 
They  are  of  much  the  same  shape  in  all  larger  animals,  being 
exactly  suited  to  the  cavities  in  which  they  lie. 

The  lungs  are  composed  of  the  branches  of  the  bronchial 
tubes,  the  air-cells,  and  the  branches  of  the  arteries  and  veins 
of  the  lungs,  all  of  which  are  held  together  by  a  spongy,  whit- 
ish, cellular  substance,  called  the  parenchyma.  The  capillary 
vessels  of  the  lungs  are  ver}^  numerous.  Those  forming  the 
connection  betAveen  the  branches  of  the  pulmonary  arteries 
and  veins  are  spread  out  over  the  air-cells,  forming  a  complete 
net-work  envelope  for  them.  By  this  arrangement  it  will  be 
seen  that  every  particle  of  blood  brought  to  the  lungs  by  the 
pulmonary  artery  must  pass  over  the  surface  of  the  air-cells, 
before  reaching  the  pulmonary  veins  to  be  carried  back  to  the 
heart,  JN'ow,  the  walls  of  the  air-cells  and  capillaries  are  so 
thin  as  to  allow  the  poisonous  carbonic  acid,  which  the  blood 
gathers  up  in  its  course  through  the  system,  to  pass  out,  and 
the  oxygen  of  the  air  to  pass  to  the  blood  and  again  fit  it  for 
sustaining  life. 

The  change  which  the  blood  undergoes  in  the  lungs  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  sustain  life.  This  change  is  called 
the  arterialization  of  the  blood.  It  consists  in  freeing  the 
blood  of  carbonic  acid  gas,  and  charging  it  with  oxygen,  and 
which  causes  its  color  to  change  from  dark  to  bright  scar- 
let. If  this  change  did  not  take  place,  life  could  last  but 
a  few  seconds. 

The  arteries  and  veins  which  carry  blood  to  build  up 
and  repair  the  substance  of  the  lungs,  pass  through  them 
just  as  those  of  other  parts. 

The  iileura  is  a  thin,  tough  membrane,  vrhich  lines  the 
inside  of  the  chest  over  the  ribs  and  diaphragm,  and  is  also 
spread  over  the  lungs,  and  a  broad  fold  of  it  dips  down  be- 
tAveen  them,  forming  the  partition  between  the  tAvo  sides  of 
the  chest.  The  pleura,  as  it  is  spread  OA^r  the  ribs,  dia- 
phragm, and  lungs,  is  listened  to  these  parts.     Its  free  sur- 


404  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOKSE. 

faces,  whicli  lie  in  contact  with  each  other,  are  of  a  bright, 
glistening,  whitish  color,  and  throw  out  a  secretion  which 
moistens  them  and  prevent  friction,  or  rubbing.  That  part 
of  the  pleura  which  lines  the  ribs  is  called  the  j)leura  cos- 
talis,  or  pleura  of  the  ribs;  that  which  envelopes  the  lungs 
is  called  the  loleura  ^uhnonaUs,  or  pleura  of  the  lungs.  The 
use  of  the  pleura  is  to  hold  the  parts  within  the  chest  in 
their  proper  place,  and  to  enable  the  motions  of  the  ribs, 
lungs,  and  diaphragm  to  be  performed  with  ease  and  free- 
dom from  friction. 

The  lungs  are  liable  to  inflammation,  which  is  called 
pneumonia,  or  lung-fever.  They  are  the  seat  of  consump- 
tion. The  pleura  is  the  seat  of  pleurisy.  Pleurisy  is  an 
inflammation  of  the  pleura. 

The  capability  of  the  horse  for  service  depends  greatly 
on  the  capacity  of  the  lungs.  The  size  of  the  lungs  is 
judged  of  by  the  depth,  length,  and  breadth  of  the  chest.  'No 
horse  with  a  contracted,  diminutive  chest  can  long  endure 
the  service  for  which  a  horse  is  valuable.  Xo  organ  so 
much  contributes  to  long  life  as  the  lungs.  In  fact,  an  ani- 
mal can  not  attain  great  age  without  large,  healthy  lungs. 
It  is,  then,  of  the  first  importance  to  the  farmer  to  secure 
a  stock  of  horses  with  well-formed  chests,  and  known  to 
have  healthy  lungs. 


THE  BMIN  AND  NERVES. 


The  brain  is  situated  within  the  skull.  It  is  a  soft,  whit- 
ish substance.  It  is  divided  into  three  parts — the  greater 
brain,  called  the  cerebrum,  the  lesser  brain,  called  the  cere- 
hellimi,  and  the  large  head  of  the  spinal  cord,  called  the  me- 
dulla  oblongata.     The   brain   is   the   seat  of  the    mind    and 


THE   BEAIX   AND   XERVES.     "  405 

source  of  action.  It  is  invested  with  three  membranes,  the 
outer  one  being  very  dense  and  tough,  and  attached  to  the 
inside  of  the  skull.  The  second  membrane  lies  close  to  the 
brain,  and  is  attached  to  it  by  many  little  blood-vessels. 
The  third  is  a  very  fine  substance,  like  spider's  web. 

The  sj)hial  cord  is  a  continuation  of  the  medulla  oblon- 
gata back  through  the  whole  length  of  the  spinal  canal.  It 
is  commonly,  but  improperly,  called  the  spinal  marrow.  It 
is  invested  by  the  same  membranes  that  the  brain  is. 

The  nerves  are  round  cords  which  arise  in  pairs,  or  by 
tw^os,  from  the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  and  which  connect 
them  with  all  other  parts  of  the  animal.  There  are  forty- 
six  pairs  of  nerves.  Of  these,  ten  pairs  arise  within  the 
skull  and  thirty-six  from  the  spinal  cord.  The  nerves  are 
composed  of  similar  substance  to  the  brain,  and  invested  by 
a  tough  membrane.  Most  nerves  divide  into  many  branches, 
like  blood-vessels,  until  the  branches  become  so  fine  as  to 
only  be  seen  by  the  aid  of  the  microscope. 

Of  those  that  arise  within  the  skull, 

The  Jirst imir,  or  olfactory  nerves,  are  distributed  over  the  in- 
side of  the  nose.     They  are  the  nerves  of  the  sense  of  smell. 

The  second  jpair,  or  optic  nerves,  pass,  one  to  the  back 
part  of  each  eye.     They  are  the  nerves  of  sight. 

The  third  pair,  or  movers  of  the  eyes,  pass  to  the  muscles 
of  the  eyes,  and  influence  their  motions. 

The  fourth  pair  pass  to  the  superior  oblique  muscle  of  the 
eyes.  • 

The  fifth  pair  have  many  divisions  distributed  to  many 
parts  of  the  face,  head,  jaws,  and  inside  parts  of  the  mouth. 
One  branch  of  these  nerves  goes  to  the  tongue,  and  gives 
rise  to  the  sense  of  taste. 

The  sixth  pair  pass  to  some  muscles  of  the  eye. 

The  seventh  pair  are  distributed  chiefly  to  the  ear,  and  are 
the  nerves  of  the  sense  of  hearing.  They  are  called  audi- 
tory nerves. 


406  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

The  eiglitli  jpair^  called  par  vagum,  is  divided  into  many 
branches,  which  are  sent  to  many  muscles  of  the  head  and 
neck,  to  the  windpipe,  the  gullet,  the  lungs,  the  heart,  the 
stomach,  etc. 

The  ninth  ixdr  are  principally  sent  to  the  muscles  of  the' 
tongue. 

The  tenth  i)air  are  distributed  to  the  muscles  of  the  head 
and  neck. 

The  nerves  given  off  from  the  spinal  cord  are  thirty-six 
pairs.  They  are  all  nerves  of  motion  and  sensation,  or  feel- 
ing. One  pair  is  given  off  at  each  bone  of  the  spine,  seven 
from  the  neck,  eighteen  from  the  back,  five  from  the  loins, 
and  five  from  the  sacrum,  or  rump-bone,  and  one  pair  from 
the  coccyx,  or  tail-bones. 

The  nerves  are  sent,  by  their  branches,  to  every  muscle 
of  the  trunk  and  limbs,  and  through  them  there  is  a  com- 
munication with  the  brain. 

In  addition  to  these  nerves,  there  is  one  great  system, 
called  the  sym])athetic  nerve.  This  is  a  very  extensive  nerve, 
communicating  with  all  the  internal  parts,  and  with  the 
head,  neck,  chest,  quarters,  and  abdomen,  or  belly.  It  com- 
municates very  freel}^  with  the  other  nerves.  It  brings  all 
parts  of  the  system  in  sympathy  with  each  other. 

Some  nerves  are  under  the  control  of  the  will,  and  called 
voluntary  nerves.  Some,  called  involuntary  nerves,  act  en- 
tirely independently  of  the  will.  Some  are  only  partially 
under  the  control  of  the  will.  The  nerves  which  supply  the 
muscles  of  the  limbs  are  examples  of  voluntary  nerves. 
Those  which  supply  the  heart,  car,  and  bowels  are  examples 
of  involuntary  nerves.  Those  concerned  in  breathing  are 
partially  under  the  will. 


f  THE   SKIN.  407 

THE  SKIN. 

The  skin,  or  hide,  is  a  thick,  chistic  structure,  which  covers 
the  entire  frame  of  the  animal.  Its  uses  are  numerous  and 
important.  It  is  a  protection  to  the  parts  beneath  it  against 
external  violence,  and  preserves  the  due  form  of  the  body. 
It  is  the  seat  of  millions  of  little  glands  and  tubes,  or  pores, 
which  are  named  according  to  'the  purpose  they  serve.  The 
glands  are  the  sebaceous  or  oil  glands,  and  the  pores,  or  tubes, 
are  the  sweat  or  exhalant  pores,  the  absorbent  pores,  the  pores 
which  throw  out  the  oil  secreted  by  the  oil-glands.  The  true 
skin  is  also  penetrated  by  the  hair-bulbs  from  beneath,  and 
from  which,  on  arriving  at  the  cuticle,  or  scarf-skin,  the  hairs 
arise.  The  skin  is  also  penetrated  and  traversed  by  numer- 
ous blood-vessels  and  nerves. 

The  skin,  or  hide,  is  composed  of  three  different  layers, 
named  from  within  outward — the  cutis,  or  true  skin,  the  rete 
mucosum,  and  the  cuticle,  or  scarf-skin. 

The  cutis,  or  true  skin,  constitutes  the  main  bulk  of  the  hide 
of  the  animal.  It  is  chiefly  composed  of  a  fibrous  structure, 
with  many  little  vessels  and  nerves  passing  through  it.  It  is 
very  tough  and  elastic,  and  highly  sensitive,  as  shown  when 
it  is  exposed  by  the  removal  of  the  parts  covering  it,  as  in 
chafing  by  the  collar  or  when  a  blister  has  been  applied.  It 
is  the  part  of  the  hide  which,  when  tanned,  is  leather.  It  is 
of  different  thickness  and  density,  or  solidness,  on  different 
parts  of  the  animal,  and  on  some  parts  is  drawn  very  tight 
while  it  is  quite  loose  on  others.  It  is  capable  of  adjusting 
itself  to  the  greatest  extremes  of  the  horse's  condition,  fitting 
him  with  equal  exactness  in  the  best  order  and  w^hen  poorest 
in  flesh.  It  is  of  very  different  degrees  of  thickness  in  the 
different  breeds  of  horses — ^thin  and  sensitive  in  the  blooded 
horse,  and  quite  thick  in  the  coarser  breeds. 

The  numerous  little  glands  spoken  of  are  seated  in  this 
part,  and  from  them  arise  and  pass  outward  the  pores  before 


408  NAVIN   0^■    THE    HORSE. 

mentioned.  It  is  also  penetrated  by  the  hair-bulbs,  or  roots. 
The  true  skin  is  attached  to  the  body  by  means  of  the  cel- 
lukxr  tissue,  described  under  its  name  elsewhere.  Over  a  great 
part  of  the  body  it  is  attached  to  a  muscle  peculiar  to  quadru- 
peds, called  the  ^^panniculus  camosus,^'  and  which  enables  the 
animal  to  shake  flies  and  other  offending  objects  off  the  body. 

The  rcte  miicosum,  or  middle  layer  of  the  skin,  is  a  thin,  soft, 
web-like  structure,  which,  in  different  animals,  and  sometimes 
in  different  parts  of  the  same  animal,  is  of  different  colors,  and 
which  Q'ives  the  color  to  the  animal.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
curious  things  in  nature.  The  pores,  \vhich  have  their  origin 
in  the  true  skin,  pass  through  the  rete  mucosum  on  their  way 
out^tard. 

The  scarf-skin,  or  outer  layer  of  the  skin,  called  the  cuticle, 
is  a  tough,  thin,  transparent  membrane  covering  the  other  two 
layers  of  the  skin.  It  is  without  sensibility,  and  serves  as  a 
protection  to  those  parts  of  the  skin  which  are  sensitive.  But 
for  its  presence  the  slightest  touch  would  cause  much  pain.  It 
is  the  cuticle  which  is  raised  in  drawing  a  blister.  It  is  com- 
posed of  an  infinite  number  of  small  scales,  somewhat  resem- 
bling the  scales  of  a  fish,  and  similarly  arranged.  The  direc- 
tion in  which  these  scales  lie  determines  the  direction  of  the 
hair  on  the  different  parts  of  the  animal.  The  cuticle  is  pro- 
duced by  the  true  skin,  and  is  perforated  by  all  the  pores 
which  arise  from  it,  and  w^hich  are  its  means  of  attachment  to 
the  true  skin.  The  dandruff,  or  scurf,  which  gathers  on  the 
horse's  hide,  is  only  the  worn-out  scales  of  the  cuticle. 

The  nerves  of  the  skin  do  not  enter  the  scarf-skin,  but  their 
fine  extremities  are,  perhaps,  in  contact  with  its  under  surface. 

GLANDS  AND  PORES  OF  THE  SKIN. 

These  have  already  been  spoken  of,  and  their  origin  in  the 
cutis,  or  true  skin,  pointed  out ;  but  their  importance  demands 
a  more  careful  consideration  of  their  structure  and  uses. 

In  the  true  skin  there  are  found  many  little  glands,  each 


GLANDS   AND   PORES   OF   THE   SKIN.  409 

having  a  little  tube,  or  pore,  proceeding  from  it,  passing  out 
through  the  rete  mucosum  and  cuticle,  and  ending  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  animal  with  an  open  mouth.  As  before  remarked, 
there  are  three  kinds  of  these  glands  and  pores. 

The  sweat-glands  and  pores,  of  which  the  skin  of  the  horse 
will  present  many  millions,  throw  off  by  far  the  greater  part 
of  the  worn-out  particles  of  matter  of  the  animal  body.  The 
worn-out  matter  is  separated  from  the  blood  by  the  sweat- 
gland,  and  passes  off  through  the  sweat-tubes  in  the  form  of 
vapor,  called  insensible  perspiration. 

The  pores  of  the  skin  have  the  power  of  becoming  larger  and 
smgkller,  as  circumstances  require.  Heat  or  vigorous  exer- 
cise causes  them  to  open,  for  then  a  very  rapid  waste  of  the 
system  takes  place.  If,  when  in  a  state  of  active  perspiration, 
from  whatever  cause,  the  animal  becomes  suddenly  cooled,  the 
pores  of  the  skin  will  close  up,  and  the  worn-out  matter,  no 
longer  being  able  to  pass  off  through  the  skin,  seeks  an  outlet 
in  some  other  way.  It  is  thrown  on  the  lungs,  bowels,  or 
kidneys,  and  the  consequence  is  pneumonia,  pleurisy,  cold,  in- 
flammation of  the  bowels,  kidneys,  etc. 

The  Oil-glands  and  Oil-jwres. — The  oil-glands  are  situated 
in  the  true  skin.  They  are  not  so  numerous  as  the  sweat- 
glands,  and  are  much  more  numerous  in  some  parts  of  the 
body  than  in  others.  Each  gland  has  a  little  tube,  duct,  or 
pipe  leading  from  it,  and  terminating  in  the  open  mouth,  or 
pore.  Most  of  the  oil-pores  open  on  the  surface  of  the  ani- 
mal ;  but  some  of  them  open  into  the  sheath  of  the  hair,  sup- 
plying it  with  a  hair-oil  of  nature's  own  manufacture. 

The  purpose  of  this  oil  is  to  keep  the  skin  in  its  naturally 
soft,  pliant,  and  elastic  condition — to  protect  it  from  the  irrita- 
tion which  the  wind  and  rain  and  the  sweat  and  vapor,  thrown 
off  by  the  sweat-pores,  would  produce.  Being  an  oil,  it  cools 
slowly,  and  is  a  great  protection  against  the  chilling  of  the 
hide  by  cold. 

Around  the  border  of  the  eyelids  it  serves  to  keep  the  tears 


410  NAVIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

from  running  over.  In  the  ears  it  is  very  abundant,  and  forms 
the  carAvax.  It  is  most  abundant  at  the  heels,  which  are  so 
much  exposed,  and  in  which  the  skin  is  in  such  constant  use. 
In  the  disease  known  by  the  name  of  "grease,"  this  oil  is 
throAvn  out  at  the  heels  in  great  quantity  and  in  an  unhealthy 
condition. 

The  Absorbents  of  the  Skin. — The  skin,  as  well  as  most  other 
parts  of  the  animal's  body,  is  supplied  with  a  sort  of  web  of 
little  vessels,  or  apparently  jointed  tubes,  which  are  called  the 
absorbents,  whose  open  mouths,  or  pores,  lie  immediately  under 
the  cuticle.  They  are  called  absorbents  because  they  have  the 
power  of  soaking  up,  or  absorbing,  substances,  and  carrying 
them  into  the  system.  They  are  capable  of  taking  up  water 
or  the  confined  sweat  or  perspiration,  and  even  some  medicines 
applied  to  the  skin,  and  carrying  them  into  the  system. 

THE  HAIR. 

The  hair  is  a  thick  coat,  or  covering,  provided  by  nature  for 
the  horse,  to  protect  him  from  harm,  from  the  severity  or 
changes  of  weather,  season,  or  climate,  and  to  give  him  that 
beauty  for  Avhich,  in  a  great  part,  he  is  so  much  admired.  The 
hair  is  an  appendage  of  the  skin.  It  consists  of  a  horn-like 
outside  covering,  called  the  bulb,  which  surrounds  a  softer  in- 
terior, pith-like  substance,  called  the  pulp.  The  root  of  the 
hair  is  surrounded  by  its  sheath,  Avhich  starts  from  the  cellular 
membrane  beneath,  and  passes  up  through  the  true  skin,  and 
which  terminates  at  the  surface  in  an  open  mouth,  through 
which  the  hair  passes  out.  The  hair  grows  from  the  bottom  of 
the  cup-like  sheath  in  which  it  stands,  and  is  not  attached  to 
it  at  any  other  place. 

There  is  no  difference  in  the  way  the  hair  is  produced  on  the 
different  parts  of  the  animal.  The  hair  of  the  mane  and  tail 
only  differ  from  that  of  the  body  in  being  longer,  stronger,  and 
thicker. 

The  appearance  of  the  hair  is  a  very  important  indication 


THE    HAIR.  411 

of  the  coiidltion  .>i  Ae  horse's  system ;  for  disease  can  scarcely 
exist  in  the  aTiim'\i  Avithoiit  interfering,  to  some  degree,  with 
the  healthy  action  of  the  skin,  and*  the  least  degree  of  tronble 
with  the  skin  will  bo  shown  by  the  appearance  or  feel  of  the 
hair. 

That  the  hair  may  be  kept  in  its  proper  glossy,  soft  condition, 
it  is  necessary  that  the  horse's  health  mnst  be  good,  that  he 
be  properly  stabled,  that  the  hide  be  kept  perfectly  clean,  and 
that  the  hair  be  frequently  rubbed,  so  that  the  oil  poured  out 
around  its  roots  may  be  evenly  distributed  over  the  hairs,  and 
any  excess  of  it  removed. 

Sliedding  or  molting  are  terms  applied  to  a  change  which 
takes  place  with  the  horse's  coat  once  every  year,  generally  in 
the  spring,  but  sometimes  twice  a  year,  in  the  spring  and  fall 
both,  in  which  the  old  hair,  except  the  mane  and  tail,  falls  off, 
and  is  replaced  by  a  new  crop.  This  change  from  the  winter 
to  the  summer  coat  takes  place  gradually,  requiring,  in  a  horse 
in  fair  condition,  from  two  to  three  weeks  to  complete  it.  The 
young  hair  starts  up  from  the  same  point  of  its  predecessor, 
and  passes  up  by  its  side,  and  is  some  length  before  the  old 
hair  is  cast.  By  this  arrangement  of  nature  the  horse's  coat 
is  suited  to  the  different  seasons,  being  thick  and  warm  in  the 
colder  seasons  and  light  in  the  warmer. 

While  this  change  is  going  on,  the  skin  is  undoubtedly  in 
a  state  of  increased  activity.  Hence  the  horse  sweats  easily ; 
a  gi-eater  than  ordinary  amount  of  dandruif  is  thrown  off  from 
the  skin ;  the  nostrils  look  more  florid  than  usual ;  the  fatness 
of  the  horse  decreases;  his  appetite  is  poor,  and  his  nervous 
system  depressed.  These  conditions  are  often  mistaken  for 
disease,  and  the  horse  subjected  to  treatment  for  fever,  inflam- 
mation, debility,  or  dosed  with  some  nostrum  ^^said  to  he  good''' 
for  every  thing.  I  need  hardly  say  that  all  this  is  not  only 
unnecessary,  but  very  injurious. 

The  process  of  shedding  is  one  of  those  changes  in  the  sys- 
tem which  nature  has  established,  and  if  the  horse  is  in  health 


412  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

at  the  time  it  takes  place,  no  evil  will  result  from  it.  The 
only  thing  necessary  is  to  see  that  the  horse  has  proper  food, 
which  should  be,  for  this  time,  of  a  kind  easily  digested,  and 
not  quite  so  much  in  quantity  as  usual.  He  should  be  fre- 
quently rubbed,  and  but  moderately  brushed,  and  the  curry- 
comb should  not  be  used  on  him  at  all.  The  thin  coat  will 
not  permit  harsh  raking. 

He  should  not  be  worked  hard,  nor  in  any  way  overexer- 
cised;  for  the  thinness  of  his  coat,  at  this  time,  and  the 
greater  activity  of  the  skin  will  certainly  render  it  much 
easier  for  him  to  take  cold.  Spices,  undoubtedly,  will  hasten 
the  process  of  shedding,  but  they  are  unnecessary,  and  may 
do  very  great  mischief.  They  should  not  be  given.  If,  how- 
ever, the  horse  does  not  shed  at  his  proper  season,  it  will  be 
owing  to  some  existing  disease  or  ailment.  A  careful  exam- 
ination will  discover  it,  and  the  proper  treatment  should  be 
made  use  of  to  cure  it. 

CUj^inng  or  shaving  the  hair,  to  give  the  horse  the  appear- 
ance of  a  thin  coat,  is  sometimes  practiced.  It  certainly  does 
the  horse  no  good,  and  may  prove  decidedly  injurious  to  him. 
It  is  one  of  those  instances  in  which  man  "imitates  nature 
abominably." 

COLOR. 

The  color  of  the  hair  is  produced  by  the  middle  layer  of 
the  skin,  called  the  rete  mucosum.  It  affects  the  health  of  the 
horse  only  in  so  far  as  horses  of  certain  colors  are  generally 
hardy,  while  those  of  other  colors  are  soft  and  washy.  Some 
colors  also  seem  to  be  peculiarly  liable  to  certain  diseases. 
But  the  color  has  much  to  do  in  determining  the  value  of  the 
horse  in  market,  and  hence  its  consideration  is  of  peculiar  im- 
portance. Almost  every  color  has  at  times  been  fashionable. 
But  there  are  some  colors  which,  though  they  may  at  times 
be  out  of  fashion,  are  never  out  of  good  taste  with  good  judges 
and  common-sense  people. 


COLOR.  413 

Horses  may  be  found  of  almost  every  imaginable  shade  of 
color,  but  there  are  a  few  general  types  of  color,  to  some  one 
of  which  every  horse  may  be  regarded  as  belonging.  These 
I  shall  now  consider. 

The  White  Horse. — There  are  but  few  originally  white 
horses.  Light-gray  colts,  that  have  but  little  dark  mixture 
about  the  joints,  generally  begin  to  become  white  before  they 
are  full  grown,  and  from  them  we  have  one  stock  of  white 
horses.  White  horses  are,  genercilly,  very  teachable  and  of 
good  disposition.  They  are  of  good  size  and  well  made,  but 
are  not  the  best  for  standing  hard  labor.  Their  hoofs,  being 
white,  are,  of  course,  tender  and  liable  to  contraction.  They 
do  not  command  the  highest  prices  in  market,  unless  for  some 
particularly  good  quality. 

The  Gray  Horse. — There  are  several  kinds  of  grays,  the 
silver-gray,  the  iron-gray,  and  the  dapple-gray  being  the 
principal.  They  are  large  and  strongly  built,  and  many  of 
them  are  lofty  and  quite  handsome.  They  are  good  carriage- 
horses.  Their  defect  is  their  feet,  which  are  liable  to  con- 
traction. 

The  Roan  may  be  said  to  be  only  a  medium  horse  in  size, 
strength,  action,  and  endurance,  though  many  of  them,  in 
Kentucky  and  the  North-west,  having  something  of  the  French 
type,  excel  in  all  these  qualities  except  size. 

The  Chestnut. — The  lighter  varieties  are  usually  rather 
lightly  built,  of  good  spirit,  but  deficient  in  endurance.  The 
dark  chestnut  is  truly  a  noble  animal,  of  great  strength,  spirit, 
and  endurance,  and  almost  a  stranger  to  disease.  He  will  sell 
in  any  market  readily. 

The  Bay  is  the  richest  and  most  beautiful  of  all  the  different 
colors  of  the  horse.  The  bright  bay,  with  no  white,  and  black 
from  the  knees  down,  with  black  mane  and  tail,  is  the  most 
durable,   the   best-spirited,    ar.d   the    soundest   of  all    colors. 


414  NAYIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

Siicli  a  horse  shows  splendidly  in  any  place  he  may  "bo  put; 
and  Avhatever  color  may  be  the  popular  one,  the  bay  will 
never  be  below  his  proper  value.  The  lighter  bays  are  good, 
but  not  so  elegant. 

The  Brow7i  is  only  a  deep  shade  of  the  bay,  and  though  not 
so  bright  and  lofty,  possesses  many  of  the  excellent  qualities 
of  that  color. 

The  Black  is  a  horse  of  much  beauty,  and,  from  his  lofty 
carriage  and  buoyant  spirit,  seems  to  rejoice  in  his  true  no- 
bility. He  is  a  horse  of  great  strength,  well-formed  body, 
and  suited  to  many  purposes.  He  is  a  favorite  of  military 
men,  who  are  fond  of  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  the  parade, 
for  which  his  high  action  suits  him  so  well.  The  black  is  said 
to  be  more  liable  to  disease,  blindness,  and  vice  than  any 
other  color,  though  he  stands  well  in  market,  and  sells  at 
the  b6st  prices. 

I  have  only  presented  a  few  of  the  leading  ideas  on  color. 
They  may  serve  to  direct  attention  to  this  very  interesting 
part  of  the  horseman's  and  the  farmer's  study.  A  horse  with 
all  other  good  points  should  not  be  condemned  on  account  of 
a  bad  color.  But  I  would  say  to  the  farmer,  avoid  mongrel 
colors,  as  flea-bitten  gxays,  piebalds,  claybanks,  blue,  dun,  etc. 


«HE  FOOT. 

There  are  but  few  parts  of  the  horse  to  which  less  attention 
is  generally  given  than  to  the  foot,  unless,  indeed,  the  vital 
organs  or  parts  be  excepted.  The  old  adage  that  "a  borrowed 
horse  has  hard  hoofs"  appears  to  have  given  place  to  a  differ- 
ent idea,  that  every  horse's  hoofs  can  stand  unlimited  abuse; 
but,  after  an  examination  of  the  structure  of  the  foot,  which 
every  farmer  and  blacksmith  should  study  and  understand,  it 


THE    FOOT.  415 

Will  be  seen  that,  though  it  is  well  calculated  to  stand  an  im- 
mense amount  of  service,  it  is  also  susceptible  of  great  and 
oftentimes  irreparable  injury.  If  the  owner  of  the  horse  would 
consider  that  a  horse  without  legs  is  worse  than  no  horse  at 
all,  and  that  good  feet  are  quite  indispensable  to  good  legs-, 
and  that  ears,  eyes,  and  tail  may  be  better  dispensed  with,  he 
will  be  likely  to  appreciate  and  take  better  care  of  his  horse's 
feet.       • 

In  a  work  intended  for  popular  use,  in  which  so  great  a  num- 
ber of  subjects  have  to  be  considered,  it  can  not  be  expected 
that  a  minute  consideration  of  every  thing  relating  to  the  foot 
can  be  given.  This,  of  itself,  has  constituted  the  material  for 
a  considerable  book.  The  principal  parts  of  the  outside  of  the 
foot  are,  the  outside  case,  or  hoof,  composed  of  the  wall  or 
crust,  the  sole,  the  bars,  and  the  frog.  The  principal  internal 
parts  of  the  foot  are,  the  coffin-bone,  the  navicular  or  shuttle- 
bone,  the  coronary  substance,  the  sensitive  sole,  the  sensitive 
frog,  and  the  lamellae,  together  with  certain  ligaments.  Each 
of  these  parts  I  shall  now  explain  separately,  first  remarking, 
however,  that  the  different  parts  of  the  hoof  are  so  firmly 
united  that  they  can  not  be  separated  or  taken  apart  until  the 
hoof  has  been  soaked  in  w^ater  for  a  long  time.  It  then  sepa- 
rates easily. 

The  crust,  or  wall,  of  the  hoof  constitutes  that  part  which  can 
be  seen  when  the  horse  stands  before  us.  It  gives  form  to  the 
foot,  and  its  lower  border,  to  which  the  shoe  is  nailed,  is  the 
principal  part  that  comes  in  contact  with  the  ground.  It  is 
somewhat  difficult  to  describe,  but  I  shall  endeavor  to  illustrate 
its  shape.  If  the  bark  is  stripped  off  a  stick,  as  a  boy  makes  a 
whistle,  and  this  bark  is  cut  slantingly  across,  as  the  boy  cuts 
it  for  the  mouth  of  the  whistle,  and  again  cut  across,  commenc- 
ing a  little  forAvard  of  the  air-hole  of  the  whistle  exactly  oppo- 
site the  beginning  of  the  slope  at  the  other  or  lower  si^e,  and 
cutting  it  across  not  so  slantingly  as  at  first,  but  so  as  to  come 
out  very  near  the  lower  side  of  the  other  cut.     l^ow,  set  this 


416  NAVIN   OX   THE   HORSE. 

piece  of  bark  clown  on  the  longer  slope,  and  cut  it  throngh  at 
the  thin  side,  where  it  is  already  nearly  in  two;  then  bring 
these  two  ends  of  this  cut  ring  into  the  middle  of  the  ring, 
hold  them  there,  but,  instead  of  letting  them  curve  gradually 
in,  break  them  at  the  place  they  start  to  curve  in,  so  as  to  form 
a  V-  shaped  notch  at  the  back  of  this  ring.  You  thus  have  an 
exact  representation  of  the  form  of  the  outside  crust,  and  of 
its  two  reflections  inward  to  form  the  bars,  the  two  sicfes  of  the 
V-shaped  notch  representing  the  bars. 

For  descrijDtion  and  reference,  the  wall  is  divided  into  the 
toe,  which  embraces  the  front  part  of  the  wall,  nearly  all  of  it 
that  is  seen  when  the  foot  stands  immediately  in  front  of  the 
observer.  It  is  the  deepest  and  thickest  part  of  the  wall. 
When  the  hoof  is  prepared  for  the  shoe,  its  depth  from  the 
edge  of  the  hair  to  the  tip  of  the  toe  measures  about  three 
and  a  half  inches.  The  slant  backward  is  at  an  angle  of  about 
forty-five  degrees,  or  just  half-way  between  level  with  the 
ground  and  straight  up.  Its  thickness  is  from  three-eighths 
to  half  an  inch. 

The  quarters  lie  between  the  toe  and  the  heels ;  they  form 
the  lateral  (to  the  side)  projections  of  the  wall.  Their  hight 
is  not  so  great  as  that  of  the  toe,  being  from  two  to  three 
inches,  and  from  one-fourth  to  three-eighths  thick. 

The  heels  are  the  shallowest,  narrowest,  and  thinnest  parts  of 
the  crust.  They  form  the  back  part  of  it,  extending  from  the 
quarters  to  where  the  crust  is  turned  or  inflected  inward  to 
form  the  bars.  Their  depth  is  from  one  and  a  half  to  two 
inches.  Their  thickness  is  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch,  the 
outer  one  being  a  little  the  thickest. 

The  bars  are  continuations  of  the  wall,  turned  shortly  in  at 
the  heels  toward  the  center  of  the  foot,  where  they  meet.  They 
separate  the  sole  from  the  frog,  their  inner  edge  forming  a 
ridge  or  prominence  on  the  inside  of  the  foot,  and  their  outer 
edge  forming  the  prominences  or  ridges  running  from  the  heels 
toward  the  middle  of  the  bottom  of  the  foot.     (See  cut,  p.  419.) 


THE    FOOT.  417 

The  lameUce  are  little,  exceedingly  tliin  j^lates 
of  horn,  one-twelfth  of  an  inch  broad,  and  vary- 
ing in  length  from  two  inches  to  less  than  half 
an  inch.  Their  sides  and  free  edges  rival  in 
polish  the  finest  spring  that  human  skill  can 
form.  They  are  attached  to  the  inside  of  the 
crust  by  one  of  their  edges,  and  arranged  in  ^''^"^^v  of  foot, 
almost  perfectly  parallel  lines  from  the  ui^per  and  *''''^''7c"«'Xr»r/s;,o'i! 

,  -  ,     ;:  '  •'-•'■  ini  llie  lamellae. 

inner  border  ot  the  crust  to  the  point  of  its  union    ".R^t  of  hoof  left  on. 

.,,        XT  1  mi  ,•  ''-     ^°°*'     cut     oflf, 

With  the  sole.  They  continue  around  on  the  caiied"^pr!nts""'"'^ 
bars,  but  becoming  shorter  and  shorter  until  they  Je^^'  *^" 
are  entirely  lost  sight  of.  Each  lamella  stands  free  of  itself, 
the  spaces  thus  formed  receiving  the  corresi)onding  sensitive 
lamellae  covering  the  coffin-bone.  The  number  of  horny  la- 
mella3  have  been  estimated  at  five  hundred,  and  the  surface 
their  sides  present  at  two  hundred  and  twelve  square  inches,, 
or  nearly  one  square  foot  and  a  half ;  but,  from  an  imperfect 
calculation  of  the  lamellae  of  a  foot  before  me,  I  am  inclined, 
to  the  opinion  that  the  above  estimate  is  entirely  too  low.  By 
these  delicate  leaves  of  spring,  which  very  much  resemble  the 
under  side  of  a  mushroom,  and  their  corresponding  lamella3 
covering  the  coffin-bone,  (at  letter  c  in  the  above  cul),  almost 
the  entire  weight  of  the  horse  is  sustained;  the  great  concus- 
sion which,  but  for  this,  would  occur  to  the  other  parts  within, 
the  foot,  is  prevented,  and  the  horse  is  enabled  to  glide  along: 
at  the  speed  of  five  or  six  miles  an  hour,  with  the  most  perfect, 
case  to  himself  and  his  rider.  In  these  lamellae  of  the  horse's; 
foot,  we  have  a  most  magnificent  illustration  of  the  wisdom  of 
the  Creator,  which  we  are  so  often  led  to  contemplate  and  rev- 
erence in  the  examination  of  the  animal  economy.  How  won- 
derful are  the  works  of  God!  How  boundless  his  designs  for 
the  good  of  his  creatures ! 

The  superior  border  of  the  crust  is  not  square  across,  but  all 
the  way  round  from  one  heel  to  the  other  it  is  as  if  shaved  out, 
just  as  a  cooper  shaves  the  ends  of  the  barrel-staves  out  to  let 
27 


418  :n'ayix  ox  the  hokse. 

the  head  into  the  chime  or  groove.     This  shaving  out  of  the 
upper  end  of  the  crust  is  a  little  concave,  or  hollowed  out,  and 
furnishes  the  bed  in  which  the  coronary  ligament  lies.     The 
upper  edge  of  the  crust  of  the  hoof,  above  the  hollowed-out 
place  just  described,   is  soft  and   yielding  horn.     It  is   also 
marked  by  a  little  groove  dividing  it  into  two  edges,  all  the  way 
around  the  border.     The  true  skin  is  attached  to  the  inner  one  of 
these  divisions,  and  so  gradually  does  the  skin  seem  to  change  to 
horn  that  it  is  difficult  to  tell  just  where  the  one  quits  and  the 
other  begins.     The  scarf,  or  outside  scaly  skin,  is  attached  to 
the  outer,  or  outside,  one  of  these  divisions,  and  is  lost  in  the 
horny  matter  just  as  the  true  skin  is;  but  the  horny  matter 
in  which  the  scarf-skin  is  lost  is  whitish  and  scaly,  and  around 
the  fore-part  of  the  wall  only  extends  a  little  below  the  hair ;  but 
.a  little  further  down  on  the  quarters,  and  still  further  down  on 
the  heels  and  across  the  frog,  where  it  is  nearly  an  inch  broad, 
it  forms  a  perfect  band  around  the  hoof,  and  its  office  is,  jDrob- 
.ably,  to  protect  the  young  horn  which  starts  beneath  it.     Its 
.fibers  run  in  the  same  direction  as  those  of  the  wall,  and  it  can 
only  be  separated  from  it  in  the  colt's  foot,  or  after  macerating 
(soaking)  the  fully  developed  hoof.     This  band  has  been  called 
the  coronary  frog-hand.     This  covers  the  true  coronary  border 
-of  the  hoof,  and  is  connected  with  it  by  its  fibers. 

The  inferior  border  of  the  crust,  or  wall,  is  that  part  which 
projects  below  the  sole,  and  is  the  part  on  which  the  foot  rests. 
It  is  also  the  part  to  which  the  shoe  is  nailed.  From  its  use 
it  is  subject  to  great  wear,  and  this  is  ordinarily  sufficient  to 
compensate  for  the  growth  of  the  wall  from  above.  It  is  thicker 
around  the  toe  than  the  quarters,  but  rather  heavy  at  the  heels 
•where  the  crust  turns  in  to  form  the  bars.  If  not  worn  off, 
.trimmed,  or  broken  off,  it  will  grow  out  in  very  ridiculous 
shaix'S.  This  part  needs  to  be  well  understood  by  the  black- 
.smith. 

The  sole  is  an  arched  plate  of  horn,  constituting  that  part  of 
the  floor  of  the  foot  bounded  by  the  wall,  or  crust,  and  its  in- 


THE    FOOT.  419 

ward  inflections,  the  bars.  When  macerated  and 
removed  from  its  connection,  it  will  be  seen  to 
present  a  toe,  bonnded  bv  the  toe  of  the  wall ;  a 
middle,  or  central  part,  which  lies  immediately 
around  the  point  of  the  frog ;  the  two  heels,  or 
points,  which  are  received  in  the  spaces  between  view  uk  the 

,1  ,  ,  1,11  ,  SOLE,ORU.M>ER 

the  quarters  and  the  bars ;  and  two  surfaces,  the  ^^J^r!'  "^^  '^'"^ 
upper  and  lower.  The  inferior  surface  is  con-  isonV^'tu^'i^f^ 
cave,  (hollowed  out),  the  degree  of  concavity  be-  o'oS?/;?!?;.  .hioh 
ing  greater  in  some  horses'  feet  than  in  others-  parJd'do\Vn"'a'l''if 

1  i  •  ,  1  1    .       -,    «  ,  '     *'"*  custom  of  black- 

also,   greater  m   the  hmd-feet  than  in  the  fore  ^"^"^c1-  ^^^^  '?"^'« 

Ongg  <l  d,  Crust  of  hoof, 

the  seat  of  the  shoe. 

The  superior  surface  of  the  sole  is  convex,  (rounded),  and 
corresponds  with  the  inferior  surface.  It  is  not  perfectly  uni- 
form in  its  convexity,  but  a  little  more  elevated  at  certain  places 
than  at  others.  It  is  marked  by  numerous  very  small  holes, 
which  are  made  by  the  little  projections,  called  villi,  from  the 
sensitive  sole,  and  from  whose  orifices,  or  mouths,  the  horn  of 
the  sole  is  secreted,  or  thrown  out. 

The  thickness  of  the  sole,  in  its  natural  state,  is  said  to  be 
about  one-sixth  of  an  inch,  but  it  is  thicker  in  some  parts  than 
others,  the  thicker  parts  being  near  the  union  with  the  bars 
and  the  heels,  that  part  near  the  union  with  the  Avails  being  the 
thinnest. 

The  frog  is  the  spong}-,  wedge-shaped  body  which  occupies 
the  space  between  the  bars,  giving  i^rominence  and  suj^iport  to 
the  back  part  of  the  foot.     (See  a  a,  in  cut.) 

The-  frog  is^  divided,  for  description,  into  two  surfaces,  the 
superior  and  inferior,  or  upper  and  lower;  two  sides,  a  point, 
or  toe,  and  two  bulbs,  or  heels.  These  divisions  are  not  natu- 
rally very  well  marked,  but  are  very  convenient  for  reference 
and  description.  Turning  the  bottom  of  the  foot  toward  us, 
we  observe  two  deep  grooves,  one  starting  at  each  of  the  heels 
of  the  crust,  and  running  toward  the  center  of  the  foot,  but 
gradually  becoming  shallower  as  they  pass  forward,  and  finally 


420  jn'ayix  o>^  the  hoese. 

becoming  quite  imperceptible  by  the  time  they  rfeach  the  point 
of  the  frog.  These  grooves,  called  commissures,  are  formed  by 
the  outer  sides  of  the  bars  and  the  sides  of  the  frog. 

Still  holding  the  bottom  of  the  foot  in  the  same  position,  the 
frog  will  be  observed  to  be  divided  at  the  large  end,  or  head, 
of  the  wedge,  by  a  deep  cleft,  split,  or  fissure,  w^hich  extends 
forward  about  half  the  length  of  the  frog.  This  cleft  divides 
the  posterior  (hinder)  *  half  of  the  frog  into  two  rounded, 
elongated  prominences,  or  bulbs,  which  are  called  tlie  heels  of 
the  frog.  These  are  the  most  prominent  parts  of  the  frog,  and 
assist  in  supporting  the  weight  of  the  horse.  They  are  em- 
braced by  the  heels  of  crust,  and  covered  behind  by  the  thicker 
and  deeper  part  of  the  coronary  frog-band,  which  has  before 
been  described. 

The  toe  of  the  frog,  or  that  part  forward  of  the  cleft,  is  the 
anterior,  or  forward,  half  of  it.  It  is  rounded  and  narroAved 
as  it  passes  forward,  to  the  point.  It  has  a  prominent  swell  on 
it  immediately  beneath  the  shuttle-bone,  which  has  been  called 
the  cushion  of  the  frog,  never  to  be  found  again  after  once 
pared  ofP.  The  toe  is  composed  of  very  dense  horn,  and  is 
very  rapid  in  its  growth.  Smiths  make  very  free  in  paring 
it  off. 

The  sides  of  the  frog  form  the  posterior,  or  hinder,  walls  of 
the  deep  gi'ooves  which  bound  the  frog,  and  which  are  called,  in 
scientific  language,  commissures.  The  sides,  by  their  upper 
border,  are  dovetailed  into  the  upper  border  of  the  bars,  by 
lamellse,  and  firmly  glued  together. 

Turning  the  sole  over,  with  the  frog  in  place,  and  viewing  it 
on  its  upper  surface,  it  will  be  seen  that  wherever  the  lower 
surface  is  raised  into  an  eminence,  the  upper  surface  is  sunk 
into  a  groove,  and  wherever  the  lower  surface  is  marked  by  a 
groove,  there  is  a  corresponding  eminence  or  ridge  on  the 
upper  surface. 

Immediately  above  the  cleft,  on  the  upper  surface,  a  broad, 
flat,  strong  promontory,  or  process,  arises.     The  base,  or  bot- 


DEVELOPMENT   OF   THE    HOOF.  421 

torn,  is  exactly  over  the  cleft,  and  tlio  same  lena-tli.  The 
breadth  of  the  base,  also,  is  about  the  same  as  the  breadth  of 
the  cleft.  It  rises  higher  than  any  other  part  of  the  bottom  of 
the  foot.  The  forward  edge  is  nicely  rounded,  and  inclines 
backward  at  about  the  same  angle  with  the  wall  of  the  hoof. 
The  upper  edge,  or  top,  of  the  process  is  thinner  than  the  base, 
is  only  about  half  as  broad,  and  is  smoothly  rounded  off.  The 
back  edge  corresponds  with  the  groove  of  the  cleft,  rising  up 
between  the  heels  of  the  frog.  This  high  process  is  composed 
of  ver}^  tough  horn,  and  has  been  called  the  frog-stay. 

On  each  side  of  the  frog-stay  there  will  be  seen  a  deep 
groove,  or  ditch,  corresponding  with  the  two  heels  of  the  frog, 
starting  and  running  forward  toward  the  center  of  the  foot,  and 
uniting  in  one  channel  in  front  of  the  forward  edge  of  the  frog- 
sta}^,  and  at  which  point  the  bottom  of  the  groove  makes  a 
slight  dip,  corresponding  with  the  cushion  of  the  frog ;  it  then 
becomes  rapidly  shallow,  and  terminates,  or  ends,  a  little  forward 
of  the  middle  of  the  foot.  These  grooves,  or  ditches,  sink 
down  around  the  frog-sta}^,  considerably  below  the  curvature  of 
the  bottom  of  the  sole.  They  are  bounded  by  the  frog-stay  on 
their  inner  side,  and  by  the  sides  of  the  frog,  which  rise  up  to 
unite  with  the  bars,  on  their  outer  sides. 

DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE   HOOF. 

Some  months  before  the  foal  is  born,  the  foot  will  be  found 
to  present  the  appearance  of  an  elongated  soft  and  slightly 
clastic  ball.  In  place  of  the  hoof  will  be  found  a  white  sub- 
stance resembling  cartilage,  but  more  of  the  character  of  skin. 
That  which  supplies  the  place  of  the  wall  is  thin,  and  is  con- 
tinuous with  the  skin  ;  that  supplying  the  place  of  the  sole  is 
very  thick,  and  is  produced  by  the  sensitive  sole  under  it.  This 
is  so  thick  as  to  present  no  outline  of  the  bottom  of  the  foot, 
but  projects  out  like  a  ball,  or  the  end  of  ai>  c^g. 

These  structures  are  only  temporary  or  provisional.  Pretty 
soon  horn  commences' to  form  under  the  temporay  wall.     It 


422  XAYIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

descends  in  plates  from  the  coronet  to  the  lower  border  of  the 
wall.  This  growth  of  horn  progresses  until  the  horny  wall  is 
fully  formed. 

The  growth  of  the  horny  wall  has  progressed  considerably 
before  the  horn  of  the  bottom  commences  to  be  formed.     It 
commences  to  form  beneath  the  temporary  bottom,  and,  by  the 
time  of  birth,  the  sole,  frog,  and  bars  will  be  formed,  but  cov- 
ered by  the  thick  substance  of  the  temporary  bottom.     But 
this  soon  becomes'  loose  in  its  texture,  and  breaks  off,  so  that 
in  a  few  days  the  sole  and  frog  are  visible.     This  cover  is  for 
the  purpose  of  preventing  the  hoof  from  hurting  the  dam.     In 
the  description  of  the  wall  I  have  already  spoken  of  the  upper 
border  being  as  if  shaved  out  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the 
coronary  substance,  which  will   hereafter  be   more  fully  de- 
scribed ;  but  its  office  must  here  be  spoken  of.     On  the  side 
which  lies  in  contact  with  the  wall  there  are  an  infinite  num- 
ber of  little  points,  or  mouths,  of  vessels,  called  villi.     These 
villi  have  the  power  of  changing  the  blood,  or  parts  of  it,  with 
which  the  coronary  substance  is  abundantly  supplied,  into  a 
peculiar,  soft,  gluey  matter,  which  becomes  changed  into  true 
horn  as  it  dries.     This  gluey  matter  is  poured  out  from  the 
villi  in  the  form  of  fine,  tube-like  hairs,  and  M'liich  descend 
fi'om  the  point  of  their  origin  in  perfectly  straight  lines  to  the 
lower  border  of  the  crust,  or  wall.     They  are  quite  soft  near 
their  origin,  but  get  harder  as  they  descend.     Hence  we  see 
that  the  crust  of  the  horse's  foot  is  made  up  of  a  vast  number 
of  little  tubes,  with  their  sides  firmly  glued  together,  so  as  to 
present  the  dense  structure  it  appears  to  be.    These  little  tubes, 
or  fibers,  of  horn  are  arranged  in  layers,  or  growths,  giving  the 
appearance  of  a  grain  to  the  horn.     The  coronary  frog-band 
spoken  of  protects  the  horn  at  its  origin  until  it  descends  far 
enough  to  become  sufficiently  hard  to  not  need  this  protection. 
When,  from  age,  heat,  exposure,  or  disease,  this  coronary  frog- 
band  embraces  the  soft  horn  beneath  it  too  tightly,  it  causes 
the  horn  to  pass  out  below  it,  not  smooth,  as  it  should  be,  but 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    HOOF.  423 

marked  by  ridges,  or  waves,  running  in  rings  around  the  hoof, 
and  sometimes  causing  ridges,  or  grooves,  running  up  and 
down  the  hoof. 

The  sole  is  produced  by  the  villi  which  bestud  the  under 
surface  of  the  sensitive  sole,  which  will  be  hereafter  described. 
It  is  produced  in  the  same  way  that  the  wall  is.  Its  fibers,  or 
tubes,  take  an  oblique  direction  forward,  following  the  same 
slant  of  the  wall  of  the  foot.  Its  fibers  are  finer,  and  it  is 
softer  and  more  elastic  than  the  wall. 

The  frog  is  also  secreted  by  the  villi  of  the  sensitive  fi'og, 
(yet  to  be  explained),  in  the  same  way  that  the  sole  is  secreted 
by  the  villi  of  the  sensitive  sole.  The  fibers  of  the  frog  pass 
in  an  oblique  direction  corresponding  with  the  direction  of  the 
fibers  of  the  wall  at  the  quarters.  It  is  not  so  dense  as  the 
wall,  and  consequently  possesses  much  greater  elasticity.  Its 
fibers  are  much  finer,  and  the  hollow  of  the  tubes  compara- 
tivelv  much  o-reater. 

These  tubes  are  not  empty,  but,  like  the  inside  of  the  hairs, 
are  filled  with  a  secretion  of  gelatinous  (jelly-like)  matter,  like 
a  pith.  This  renders  the  horny  substance  tough  and  elastic, 
and  imparts  to  it  that  property  which  distinguishes  it  as  living 
horn.  If  a  piece  of  hoof  is  cut  across,  these  piths  can  be  seen, 
like  little  white  spots. 

Disease  may  interrupt  the  development  of  the  hoof,  or  some 
forms  of  disease  increase  it.  Heat  and  dryness  render  it  litird 
and  brittle.  ^Moisture  softens  it  and  renders  it  more  elastic, 
but,  at  the  same  time,  renders  it  weaker  and  less  resisting. 

The  liormj  lamellce  are  generally  said  to  be  secreted  from  the 
sensitiv^c  lamellae ;  but  of  the  correctness  of  this  I  entertain 
some  doubt.  They  appear  to  me  to  be  a  secretion  from  the 
lower  edge  of  the  outer  part  of  the  membrane  lining  the  side 
of  the  coronary  substance,  which  lies  in  contact  with  the  exca- 
vation in  the  upper  border  of  the  wall.  I  have  never  demon- 
strated this,  but  think  I  have  seen  their  origin  in  this,  in  the 


424  NAYIX   ox   THE   HOESE. 

hoofs  of  colts.     They  have  no  connection  with  the  sensitive 
lamelljB  except  contact. 

THE  INTERNAL  FOOT. 

As  before  stated,  the  principal  internal  parts  of  the  foot  are 
the  coffin-bone,  the  navicular  bone,  the  lateral  cartilages,  the 
coronary  substance,  or  ligament,  the  sensitive  lamella?,  the 
sensitive  sole,  the  sensitive  frog,  and  certain  ligaments.  Each 
of  these  I  shall  now  proceed  to  explain. 

The  coffin-hone  occupies  the  principal  part  of  the  cavity  of  the 
foot.  It  is  the  base,  or  foundation,  of  the  bony  structure.  It 
is  the  shape  of  a  half-moon,  (semilunar).  It  is  divided,  for  de- 
scription, into  the  wall,  sole,  tendonous  surface,  articulating  sur- 
face, and  wings.  Throughout,  it  corresponds  with  the  shape 
of  the  foot  quite  well.  The  wall  corresponds  with  the  wall  of 
the  foot,  having  the  same  degree  of  shape,  and  becoming  shal- 
lower back  toward  the  quarters.  Its  surface  is  quite  rough 
for  the  attachment  of  the  fibrous  membrane  to  which  the  sensi- 
tive lamellae  are  attached.  It  is  also  pierced  by  man}^  little 
holes,  for  blood-vessels  and  nerves  to  pass  through.  The  up- 
per border  of  the  wall  rises  into  quite  a  prominence,  called 
the  coronal  process,  which  forms  the  upper  and  forward  part 
of  the  coffin-joint,  and  to  which  the  extensor  tendon  is  attached. 
The  sole  of  the  coffin-bone  is  concave,  or  hollowed,  and  corre- 
sponds with  the  convexity,  or  ovalness,  of  the  upper  surface  of 
the  sole,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  the  sensitive  sole.  The 
back  and  middle  part  of  the  sole  is  sloped  out  into  a  semicir- 
cular (half-circle)  excavation,  more  than  half  as  broad  as  the 
sole,  called  the  tendonous  surface,  for  the  attachment  of  a  very 
broiid,  strong  tendon,  called  the  flexor  tendon,  {flexor  iiedis  per- 
forans),  and  whose  office  it  is  to  turn  the  foot  back,  as  a  man 
shuts  his  hand. 

The  wings  of  the  coffin-bone  are  backward  projections  term- 
inating in  the  heels.  They  are  much  grooved,  and  perforated 
with  many  holes  for  blood-vessels  and  nerves,  making  them 


THE    INTERNAL    FOOT.  425 

rery  rough.  The  upper  border  is  marked  by  a  deep  groove 
running  back  to  the  heel.  From  each  of  these  grooves  arises  a 
broad  phitc  of  cartikge,  called  the  lateral  (side)  cartilages. 
These  are  rounded  on  their  outside,  but  irregularly  hollowed, 
or  concave,  on  their  inside.  They  fill  up  the  back  corners  of 
the  heel  of  the  inside  of  the  foot.  Their  upper  part  may  be 
felt  under  the 'skin  of  the  heel,  and  their  outline  is  even  per- 
ceptible to  the  eye.  Their  lower  half  is  covered  with  the  la- 
mella?, the  same  as  the  coffin-bone,  and,  of  course,  by  the  wall 
of  the  hoof.  The  superior  (upper)  portion  of  the  coffin-bone  is 
occupied  with  the  articulatory  surface  which  inclines  backward. 
It  presents  a  broad,  more  than  half-moon,  smooth  face,  hol- 
lowed out,  or  concave,  from  before  backward,  the  middle  being 
raised  into  a  ridge,  and  the  outer  boundaries  also  being  raised 
slightly  at  each  side,  but  very  prominently  above,  wdiere  it  is 
bounded  by  the  coronary  process.  This  face  forms  about  three- 
fourths  of  the  lower  articulating  surface  of  the  coffin-joint.  At 
the  back  of  the  bone,  looking  almost  straight  back,  and  extend- 
ing from  the  inside  of  one  wing  to  the  other,  and  very  nar- 
row, is  another  smooth  articulating  surface,  which  articulates 
with  the  upper  half  of  the  front  border  of  the  shuttle-bone. 

TJie  navicular^  or  shuttle-hone,  bears  some  resemblance  to  a 
weaver's  shuttle.  It  is  more  rounded  on  its  forward  border 
than  on  the  hinder  one.  By  its  forward  border,  the  upper 
half  of  it,  as  we  have  just  above  stated,  articulates  with  the 
coffin-bone.-  Its  upper  surface  forms  the  posterior  (hinder) 
third  of  the  lower  articulating  surface  of  the  coffin-joint, 
being  similarly  raised  in  the  middle,  and  depressed  toward 
the  ends  of  this  bone,  which  terminates  within  the  Avings  of 
the  coffin-bone.  The  posterior  border  is  slightly  beveled, 
and  rough,  for  the  attachment  of  an  important  broad  tendon, 
which,  a  little  above,  unites  with  the  great  flexor  tendon. 
Its  under  surface  is  smooth  and*rounded,  and  marked  by  a 
ridge  running  across  it.  It  rests  on  the  flexor  tendon,  which 
passes  under  it  to  be  attached  to  the  coffin-bone. '  There  is  a 


426  NAVIN   ox   THE    HORSE. 

strong  ligament  attaclied  along  the  lower  half  of  the  forward 
border,  and  to  the  coffin-bone  in  front  of  it.  Two  ligaments, 
one  attached  at  each  end  of  the  shuttle-bone,  pass  up  and  are 
attached  to  the  sides  of  the  coronal,  or  lower  pastern-bone. 

The  Coronary  Siihstance. — I  shall  now  proceed  to  the  expla- 
nation of  this  important  and  extraordinary  structure.  It  is 
generally  called  the  coronary  ligament,  but  very  inapproj^ri- 
ately,  as  it  has  none  of  the  characteristics  of  those  parts  which 
are  called  ligaments. 

The  situation  of  the  coronary  substance,  as  has  been  before 
pointed  out,  is  in  the  hollowed  out  or  shaved  out  upper  border 
of  the  wall  of  the  hoof,  lying  directly  behind  the  coronary 
ring.  It  is  the  main  cause  of  the  prominence  around  the 
upper  border  of  the  crust,  called  the  coronet.  It  is  broadest 
and  thickest  around  the  front  part  of  the  wall,  becoming 
narrower  and  thinner  around  the  quarters  and  heels,  and 
posteriorly  being  joined  to  and  lost  in  the  substance  of  the 
heels  of  the  sensitive  frog. 

The  connection  with  the  wall  is  formed  by  the  little  tubes 
called  villi,  which  secrete  the  horn.  Its  inner  side,  in  front,  is 
connected  with  the  coffin-bone  and  the  extensor  tendon ;  at  the 
sides  with  the  cartilages  which  rise  up  from  the  sides  and  wings 
of  the  coffin-bone.  It  is  united  to  these  by  what  is  called 
cellular  tissue.  The  superior,  or  upper,  border  of  the  coronary 
substarice  appears  to  be  a  continuation  of  the  true  skin.  But 
this  is  not  the  case.  The  anatomist  finds  a  plain  line  of 
separation  between  them,  and  its  structure  demonstrates  or 
proves  its  different  character.  Its  lower  border,  as  it  passes, 
down  on  the  coffin-bone,  becomes  thin  and  gathered  into  numer- 
ous little  points,  from  which  are  formed  the  sensitive  lamellae. 

Three  different  parts  are  found  in  the  coronary  substance. 
A  cartilaginous  net-work,  which  is  the  base  or  frame-work  of 
the  structure,  and  the  office  of  which  seems  to  be  to  accommo- 
date it  to  the  motions  of  the  parts,  and  to  afford  j^rotection 
to  the  glandular  structure.     The  next  part  is  a  net-v/ork  of 


THE    SENSITIVE    LAMELLJ5.  427 

blood-vessels,  which  constitute  the  bulk  of  this  substance,  and 
which  are  supported  by  the  cartilaginous  part,  and  covered  by 
the  third  part  of  the  structure,  which  is  the  cuti«ular  (resem- 
bling cuticle,  or  skin,)  covering. 

This  coronary  substance  is  more  abundantly  supplied  with 
blood-vessels  than  any  other  part  of  the  body.  The  greatest  care 
seems  to  have  been  taken  to  protect  it,  so  that  it  might  be  unin- 
terruptedly supplied  with  blood,  from  wdiicli  the  wall  is  secreted. 

THE  SENSITIVE  LAMELLAE 

Is  derived  from,  or  is  a  continuation  of,  the  coronary  sub- 
stance; it  descends  from  its  lower  border  on  the  coffin-bone 
and  its  appendages,  the  lateral  cartilages,  to  the  groove 
formed  by  the  union  of  the  wall  of  the  hoof  and  sole.  But 
as  this  surface  is  much  less  in  circumference  than  the  length 
of  the  coronary  substance,  this  membrane  is  gathered  into 
hundreds  of  little  plaits,  or  folds,  running  from  the  coronary 
substance,  where  it  originates,  to  its  lower  border  near  the 
groove  before  spoken  of,  and  where  it  unites  with  the  sensi- 
tive sole.  These  little  plaits,  or  folds,  are  the  sensitive  lamellce. 
Each  lamella  is,  therefore,  composed  of  a  plait  of  this  mem- 
brane ;  that  is,  of  two  thicknesses  of  it.  The  breadth  of  the 
lamella  is  one-tenth  of  an  inch,  and  about  as  thick  as  com- 
mon paper.  The  length  varies  with  the  situation,  being 
longest  where  they  pass  down  the  coffin-bone,  and  getting 
shorter  to^yard  the  posterior,  or  back,  part.  The  sensitive 
lamellae  are  received  into  the  spaces  between  the  horny 
lamelhc,  which  line  the  inside  of  the  wall  of  the  hoof,  as  be- 
fore described.  The  number  of  sensitive  lamella3  have  been 
estimated  at  from  five  to  six  hundred. 

They  are  highly  organized,  though  not  so  well  supplied  with 
blood-vessels  as  the  sensitive  sole,  or  sensitive  frog.  They 
are  supplied  with  blood  for  their  own  nutrition.     . 

They  have  been  represented  by  some  writers  as  possessing 
a  wonderful  degree  of  elasticity.     But  this  is  erroneous,  though 


428  NAVIN   ox   THE    HORSE. 

it  is  certain  they  possess  this  property  to  some  extent.  The 
sensitive  and  horny  Lamelke,  by  their  peculiar  union,  give  pro- 
dio-ious  streno,ih  to  the  connection  of  the  coffin-bone  with  the 
wall  of  the  hoof.  The  coffin-bone,  v^diich  bears  almost  the  en- 
tire weight  of  the  animal,  is  suspended,  or  hung  up,  by  the 
lamellse  to  the  wall  of  the  hoof.  It  is  comparatively  little  of 
the  weight  that  rests  on  the  sole  and  frog.  If  any  one  doubts 
the  capability  of  the  lamella3  to  bear  such  weight  by  their  union, 
le't  him  take  a  pamphlet  of  one  hundred  pages,  and  let  the 
leaves  of  this  be  put  between  the  leaves  of  a  stiff-backed  book, 
only  one-fourth  of  an  inch,  so  that  the  margin  of  each  leaf  in 
the  one  book  will  lie  between  the  margin  of  those  of  the  other ; 
then  press  the  stiff  backed  book  firmly  together,  and  let  an- 
other person  grasp  the  small  book  and  test  the  force  necessary 
to  draw  them  apart.  And  yet  this  is  but  a  feeble  illustration 
of  the  strength  of  the  union  of  the  lamellae.  How  different 
from  common  opinion  is  this  arrangement  for  supporting  the 
weight  of  the  horse !  And  yet  how  wise  it  is  !  For  if  the  im- 
mense weight  of  the  horse,  in  jumping  a  fence  for  example, 
were  thrown  on  the  comparatively  small  base  described  by  the 
circumference  of  the  hoof,  it  must  soon  be  crushed.  But  by 
the  weight  being  suspended  by  the  lamellae,  their  aggregate 
surfaces  will  represent  the  base  on  which  the  weight  of  the 
animal  rests,  and,  as  we  have  before  seen,  the  surface  of  the 
horny  lamellae  of  one  foot  amounts  to  one  and  a  half  square 
feet;  by  doubling  this  we  get  the  surface  of  all  the.lamellDe  of 
one  foot,  which  we  find  is  three  square  feet.  This,  multiplied 
by  four,  gives  an  aggregate  of  twelve  square  feet  as  the  sur- 
face of  all  the  lamellae.  Hence  we  see  that  the  horse's  weight 
actually  rests  on  a  base  equal  to  twelve  square  feet;  but  the 
elasticity  of  the  parts  is  their  chief  protection.    , 

Elastic  Structm^e. — This  is  a  layer  of  fibrous  (composed  of 
fibers)  structure,  resembling  the  proper  covering  (periosteum) 
of  the  bone,  lining  the  upper  side  of  the  coffin-bone,  and  con- 
stituting the  connection  between  it  and  the  sensitive  lamella3. 


THE    SENSITIVE    SOLE.  429 

It  is  quite  thick,  and  furnishes  a  bed  for  the  numerous  blood- 
vessels entering  and  coming  from  the  coffin-bone.  The  sensi- 
tive lamellae  are  attached  to  it.  It  is  an  exceedingly  elastic 
substance,  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  it  will  stretch  out  and  dfaw 
back  like  India-rubber.  In  this  resides  the  elasticity  which 
has  been  attributed  to  the  lamellae.  How  much  wiser  is  this 
arrano-ement  than  to  have  the  lamellae  themselves  endowed 
with  this  high  degree  of  elasticity,  by  which  their  union  would 
necessarily  be  endangered ! 

THE  SENSITIVE  SOLE. 

This  is  a  tough,  fibrous,  and  extremely  vascular  (full  of 
blood)  membrane,  firmly  attached  to  the  under  side  of  the 
coffin-bone,  and  corresponding  in  shape  with  the  horny  sole,  and 
lying  on  its  upper,  or  convex,  surface. 

It  is  chiefly  composed  of  the  same  sort  of  fibrous,  tough, 
whitish,  elastic  (springy)  substance  which  covers  the  upper,  or 
rounded,  side  of  the  coffin-bone,  and  to  which  the  sensitive 
lamellae  are  attached.  It  is  more  compact  and  finer  than  the 
covering  of  the  upper  side  of  the  coffin-bone.  It  forms  the 
bed  for  a  beautiful  net-work  of  veins,  which  furnish  the  blood 
from  which  is  secreted  or  formed  the  horny  sole.  Both  the 
fibrous  and  vascular  parts  are  covered  by  a  thin  membrane, 
from  which  pass  many  little  tubes,  or  villi,  entering  the  pores, 
or  little  holes,  on  the  upper  side  of  the  horny  sole,  and  from 
which  it  is  secreted  or  formed,  as  has  been  before  explained. 

The  sensitive  sole,  sometimes  called  the  fleshy  sole,  is  united 
around  the  lower  border  of  the  coffin-bone  with  the  elastic 
structure  covering  the  bone.  Behind,  along  the  border  of  the 
V-shaped  cleft,  it  is  united  with  the  sensitive,  or  fleshy,  frog. 
Its  thickness  is,  on  an  average,  about  the  eighth  of  an  inch, 
though  it  varies  in  difterent  parts,  being  the  thickest  toward 
the  heels. 

Its  office,  in  part,  is  to  prevent  concussion,  but  chiefly  to 
furnish  blood  from  which  the  horny  sole  is  secreted,  and  to 


430  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

protect  blood-vessels  passing  out  of  the  coffin-bone  and  through 
the  sensitive  sole.  It  is  well  supplied  with  nerves,  and  is  very 
sensitive,  quite  susceptible  to  injury  or  inflammation.  Corns 
are  produced  by  a  bruise  and  inflammation  of  the  sensitive 
sole  between  the  crust  and  the  bars. 

What  a  wise  provision  of  nature  the  springy  suspension  of 
the  horse  is !  In  addition  to  other  advantaa*es,  it  (iives  free  cir- 
culation  to  the  blood  in  the  sensitive  sole,  etc.,  which  Avould  be 
impeded  if  the  coffin-bone  rested  on  the  sensitive  sole. 

THE  SENSITIVE  FROG. 

This  is  a  thick,  irregular-shaped  body,  occupying  the  space 
bounded  above  by  the  great  flexor  tendon  and  the  skin  of  the 
heel,  below  by  the  horny  frog,  and  to  the  sides  by  the  carti- 
lages which  rise  up  from  the  sides  and  heels  of  the  coflin-bone. 
It  is  firmly  attached  to  all  the  parts ;  and  the  coronary  substance 
and  sensitive  sole  are  also  attached  to  it,  or  rather  are  lost  in  it. 
Its  posterior  parts,  or  heels,  are  covered  with  its  own  skin-like 
investment.  Its  under  surface  is  marked  by  grooves,  corre- 
sponding with  the  eminences  of  the  uj^per  surface  of  the  horny 
frog,  and  fleshy  projections  corresponding  with  the  grooves  of 
the  horny  frog.  Its  structure  is  somewhat  similar  to  that  of 
the  sensitive  sole,  being  composed  of  an  elastic,  slightly  fibrous 
structure,'  a  fibrous  cartilaginous  part,  a  net-work  of  blood- 
vessels, and  an  external  skin-like  covering. 

The  main  body  of  the  sensitive  frog  is  made  up  of  a  yellow- 
ish white  substance,  of  a  spongy,  slightly  fibrous  and  elastic 
character,  and  which  has  been  mistaken  for  a  fatty  pulp,  and 
called  the  "fatty  frog." 

The  fibrous,  cartilaginous  part  covers  those  parts  of  the 
elastic  substance,  just  described,  on  which  there  is  greatest 
pressure,  being,  in  some  places,  as  much  as  one-fourth  of  ah 
inch  thick.  It  also  sends  branches  through  the  elastic  sub- 
stance in  various  and  irregular  directions.  It  appears  to  be  a 
frame-work  to  support  the  other  structures  of  the  sensitive 


THE    AGE.  431 

frog,    and   furnishes  a  bed   for   the   next  part  ^,  of  this  body, 
which  is, 

The  Net-ivorJc  of  Blood-vessels. — These  arc  chiefly  veins,  and 
furnish  the  blood  to  supply  the  sensitive  frog  with  nutriment, 
and  from  which  is  secreted  the  horny  sole,  by  means  of  the 
villi  which  project  from  under  the  surface  of  the  sJcin-UJce  cover- 
ing of  the  sensitive  frog.  This  is  continuous  from  above  with 
the  skin,  and  covers  the  heels  and  cleft  behind,  passes  under, 
lining  the  under  surface  of  the  sensitive  frog,  and  above,  being 
continuous  with  the  cuticular  (skin-like)  covering  of  the  coro- 
nary substance. 


THE    AGE. 

To  be  able  to  determine  the  age  of  a  horse  within  a  few 
months,  during  the  period  of  his  greatest  usefulness,  is  an  ob- 
ject of  considerable  interest  to  every  person  who  may  ever 
wish  to  purchase  one  of  these  noble  animals.  And  to  those 
who  are  engaged  in  the  frequent  buying  and  selling  of  horses, 
it  is  absolutely  indispensable  to  be  expert  in  this  art.  jNIany 
a  man  has  been  the  victim  of  a  roguish  dealer,  or  jockey, 
and  had  a  '^doctorecV  old  horse,  almost  worthless,  put  on  him 
for  a  splendid  five  or  seven-year  old ;  and  thus  he  has  been 
swindled  out  of  his  money,  and  laughed  at  by  his  neighbors, 
only  for  his  ignorance  of  a  few  simple  points  to  be  observed  to 
enable  any  man  of  common  sense  to  tell  the  age  of  a  horse 
with  approximate  certainty. 

In  treating  of  this  subject  I  shall  describe  the  successive 
changes  the  mouth  undergoes  up  to  that  age  at  which  the 
changes  become  obscure  and  uncertain,  which,  very  fortu- 
nately, is  beyond  the  period  of  his  highest  value  and  useful- 
ness, and  beyond  which  a  prudent  man  will  very  seldom 
purchase  a  horse  at  any  price. 


432 


NAVIX   ON"    THE    HORSE. 


At  the  time  it  is  foaled  the  colt  will  be  found  to  have  four 
teeth  in  each  jaw,  two  on  either  side,  making  eight  in  all ;  these 
are  the  first  and  second  grinders. 

At  from  seven  to  nine  days  old,  two  nippers 
in  each  jaw  will  be  found  to  have  made  their 
appearance.  They  are  usually  not  entirely  visi- 
ble until  the  ninth  day.  They  fill  the  mouth 
from  side  to  side,  apparently,  though  they  Avill 
be  found  to  be  small  when  compared  with  the 

Lf             M    permanent  teeth.     By  the  time  he  is  one  month 
-^ — ^    old,  he  will  be  found  to  have  the  third  pair  of 

grinders  in  each  jaw,  making  in  all  twelve  grinders. 

When  he  is  six  weeks  old  he  gets  another,  or  second,  pair 
of  nip2:>ers  in  each  jaw,  making  four  nippers  in  each  jaw,  or 
eight  in  all.  At  this  time  the  middle  nippers  will  be  about 
two-thirds  grown,  and  at  the  end  of  two  months  will  have 
reached  their  full  length,  and  in  a  month  more,  that  is,  when 
the  colt  is  three  months  old,  the  second  pair  will  have  reached 
the  hight  of  the  fii'st.  They  then  show  a  sharp  edge  to  the 
outside,  but  commencing  to  wear,  they  will  have  come  to  a  level 
about  the  ninth  month  of  the  colt's  age. 

At  this  time,  the  ninth  month,  another  pair 
of  nippers  start  up  in  each  jaw,  outside  of  the 
second  pair.  The  mouth  will  then  23resent 
tweWe  nippers,  or  incisors,  six  above  and  six 
below.  This  is  called  the  coWs  month.  JN'o 
further  change,  except  in  the  wear  of  these 
teeth,  is  observed  until  the  colt  is  between  two 
and  three  years  old ;  and  some  of  these  tem- 
porary teeth  remain  until  he  reaches  the  age 
of  five  years. 

Before  proceeding  further  in  the  description  of  the  changes 
which  the  teeth  undergo,  I  shall  give  a  brief  description' of  the 
structure  of  the  teeth. .  The  germs,  or  seeds,  of  all  the  teeth, 
both  of  the  milk-teeth  and  the  permanent  set,  may  be  found 


THE    AGE.  433 

deposited  in  cavities  in  the  jaw  of  the  embryo,  the  germs  of 
the  former  lying  above  those  of  the  hatter.  These  germs  are 
well  supplied  with  vessels  for  their  nutriment  by  means  of  a 
delicate  membraneous  envelope.  The  growth  of  the  milk-teeth 
is  much  more  rapid  in  their  earlier  development  than  that  of 
the  permanent  teeth.  The  tooth  is  a  mere  pulp  mitil  it  has 
attained  considerable  size.  It  then  begins  to  have  deposited 
the  proper  bony  substance  of  the  body  of  the  tooth,  and  its 
hard  covering  for  that  part  which  is  afterward  to  be  exposed 
aoove  the  gums.  This  is  called  the  enamel  of  the  tooth,  and 
IS  so  hard  as  to  resist  iron,  and  even  a  file  with  difficulty  will 
make  an  impression  on  it.  The  enamel  is  deposited  with  re- 
markable adaptation  to  the  objects  for  which  it  is  intended,  be- 
ing quite  heavy  over  those  parts  of  the  tooth  to  which  the  food 
is  exposed  in  nipping  and  grinding,  but  comparatively  thin 
over  the  remainder  of  the  tooth  above  the  gum,  and  extending 
in  a  thin  scale  but  a  little  way  beneath  it.  It  is  also  arranged 
so  as  to  greatly  strengthen  the  tooth.  But,  notwithstanding 
all  this,  the  teeth  of  the  horse  must  wear  away. 

The  enamel,  as  it  passes  over  the  nipper,  or  incisor  tooth,, 
dips  down  into  the  bony  substance,  leaving  an  oval  depression 
in  the  crown  of  the  tooth,  called  the  mark,  and  rises  to  rather 
a  sharp  edge  on  the  front  margin  of  the  tooth.  The  mark,  as 
it  is  called,  is  occasioned  by  the  food  blackening  the  bottom  of 
the  depression  before  described,  as  formed  by  the  dipping  of 
the  enamel  as  it  passes  over  the  crown  of  the  tooth.  Some 
persons  have  an  idea  that  the  mark  is  formed  by  a  circle  of 
;he  enamel  being  sunk  in  the  middle  of  the  tooth,  with  a  hole 
:n  the  center,  and  talk  of  the  filling  up  of  the  tooth.  But  this 
IS  a  very  erroneous  idea.  The  depression  does  not  fill  up,  but 
the  wearing  down  of  the  enamel  by  u-se  gradually  changes  the 
shape  and  appearance  of  the  mark,  and  eventually  entirely 
obliterates  it,  or  rubs  it  out. 

The  structure  of  the  grinder  is  quite  different  from  that  of 
the  nipper,  or  incisor.     Instead  of  one  sack,  or  bag,  of  pulp 
28 


434  NAVIN  ox  THE  HOKSE. 

ossifying  within  and  enamel  forming  without  by  crystallization, 
we  have  the  same  process  going  on  within  the  cavity  of  the 
jaw,  in  five  sacks  for  an  upper  grinder  and  four  for  a  lower, 
as  if  the  intention  were  to  form  these  respective  numbers  of 
teeth.  The  enamel  can  be  traced  around  each  of  these  divi- 
sions, and  they  would  undoubtedly  be  distinct,  but  another  sub- 
stance is  now  secreted,  which,  being  a  poAverful  cement,  unites 
all  into  one  body,  making  one  tooth.  After  this,  another  coat 
of  enamel  spreads  over  the  sides,  but  not  over  the  top,  and  the 
tooth  is  complete.  By  this  disposition  of  columns  of  bone, 
cement,  and  enamel,  a  most  prodigious  degree  of  strength  is 
obtained,  and  the  grinder  is  capable  of  crushing  the  solid  sub- 
stances constituting  the  food  of  the  horse.  But  as  the  bone 
and  cement  Avear  away  faster  than  the  enamel,  a  rough  surface 
is  always  presented,  thus  enabling  the  horse  to  grind  oats  and 
corn,  for  many  years,  without  ever  once  having  to  "pick  the 
millstones."  The  grinders  in  the  lower  jaw,  being  originally 
•formed  from  only  four  bones,  are  not  so  large  nor  so  rough  as 
those  in  the  upper  jaw. 

The  grinders  are  not  placed  horizontally  in  either  jaw.  In 
the  lower  the  higher  side  is  within,  and  gradually  shelving  out- 
ward, while  in  the  upper  jaw  the  higher  side  is  without,  shelv- 
ing inward,  thus  enabling  the  grinding  motion  to  be  performed 
with  the  greatest  possible  facility.  Though,  to  the  casual  ob- 
server, a  pile  of  horses'  teeth  would  appear  to  have  but  little 
regularity  about  them,  an  experienced  hand  would  readily 
assign  each  its  proper  situation.  To  the  naturalist  the  study 
of  the  teeth  of  animals  is  a  subject  of  greatest  interest.  But 
as  the  object  of  the  present  work  is  not  to  enter  into  the  dis- 
cussion of  the  beauties  of  science,  but  to  furnish  such  informa- 
tion as  will  enable  every  person  to  give  the  horse  that  intelli- 
gent attention  his  worth  and  nobility  deserve,  and  to  detect 
the  tricks  and  impositions  of  dishonest  dealers,  I  shall  return 
io  the  consideration  of  the  changes  which  take  place  in  the 
mouth.     Observations  are  made  on  the  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw 


THE    AGE.  435 

until  after  eight  years  of  age.     The  following  is  the  appearance 
of  the  mouth  at  one  year  old. 

The  four  middle  teeth  have  become  level  with  each  other 
previous  to  this  time,  and  the  third  pair,  or 
corner  ones,  are  approaching  the  level  of 
the  others.  They  present,  respectively,  the 
following  appearance:  in  the  front  pair,  or, 
two  middle  teeth,  the  mark  is  worn,  being 
somewhat  dim,  but  broad  and  regular,  with  a 
ring  of  enamel  of  very  regular  width,  but 
thicker  in  front  than  behind,  surrounding  it. 
The  mark  is  partly  worn  out  of  the  next  two, 
or  second  pair,  but  it  is  darker,  longer,  and  narrower  than  in 
the  first,  and  the  ring  of  enamel  surrounding  it  is  not  so  regu- 
lar. In  the  corner  teeth  the  mark  is  of  full  depth,  darker, 
longer,  and  narrower  than  in  either  of  the  others,  the  rino-  of 
enamel  being  heavier  and  more  .  irregular.  At  this  time 
another  pair  of  grinders  in  each  jaw  make  their  appearance, 
making  four  in  each  jaw,  on  each  side,  or  sixteen  in  all. 

At  this  age,  and  for  some  time  after,  as  indeed  previous  to 
this,  the  outer,  or  front,  edge  of  the  nippers  is  short,  and  the 
flat  crown  shelving  or  slanting  backward  to  the  inner  side,  so 
that  the  outer  edges  come  together,  while  the  inner  edges  do 
not  meet.  This  is  evidently  intended  to  facilitate  the  cutting 
process  for  the  young  animal,  who  is  generally  required  to  ob- 
tain his  food  from  pasture,  and  not  from  the  rack  or  manger. 
And  we  here  have  another  exemplification  of  that  admirable 
adaptation  of  means  to  ends,  so  frequently  met  with  in  the  in- 
vestigation of  nature. 

Soon  the  sharp  edge  commences  to  wear  down,  but  the  colt 
is  growing  stronger,  ■  and  able  to  use  more  blunt  teeth.  As 
they  wear  down,  the  mark,  which  was  at  first  narrow  and  as 
long  as  the  size  of  the  tooth  would  allow,  becomes  short,  wide, 
and  shallow,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  months  the  mark  in 
the  front  pair  will  have  become  much  shorter  and  more  indis- 


436 


NAVIN   OX   THE    HOESE. 


tinct,  and  in  the  others  will  hare  undergone  an  evident  change, 
and  the  nippers  will  meet  on  their  flat  crowns. 

At  the  age  of  two  years  the  middle  pair  are  quite  smooth,  and 
the  next  pair  present  very  nearly  the  same 
marks  the  first  did  at  one  year  old,  and 
,the  corner  ones  have  a  faint  mark.  About 
Ithis  time,  also,  a  fifth  pair  of  grinders  in 
each  jaw  wdll  come  out. 

About  this  time  another  change  is  pre- 
paring to  take  place.  The  jaw  or  maxil- 
lary bones  are  increasing,  and  though  the 
milk-teeth,  at  the  completion  of  the  colt's  mouth,  were  sufficiently 
large  to  fill  it,  and  as  strong  as  necessary  for  preparing  any  food 
suitable  for  the  young  animal,  they  will  soon  be  found  neither 
broad  enough  to  fill  the  jaw,  showing  spaces  between  them,  nor 
stron2:  enouo-h  for  the  mastication  of  the  coarser  and  harder 
food  which  the  animal  requires.  Nature  has  made  provision 
for  these  necessities,  and  has  provided  for  a  new  set  of  teeth, 
larger  and  more  substantial  than  the  first,  as  we  have  before 
seen  in  the  germ,  from  which  they  are  developed,  being  placed 
in  the  cavities  in  the  jaw  beneath  those  from  which  the  tem- 
porary teeth  were  developed  while  the  animal  was  yet  unborn. 
It  is  of  some  importance  to  understand  the  process  by  which 
the  temporary  teeth  are  replaced  by  the  permanent  set.  It  is 
a  well-known  principle  that  if  a  constant  pressure,  however 
light,  be  kept  up  on  any  organized  substance,  it  will  be  found 
to  waste  away  at  the  point  where  the  pressure  is  applied,  or, 
as  it  is  called,  will  be  absorbed.  The  same  little  vessels  which 
run  through  every  organized  substance  to  carry  off  the  worn- 
out  particles,  and  which  are  called  absorbents,  in  this  case 
carry  off,  also,  the  particles  against  w^hich  the  pressure  is  made. 
I  will  illustrate  this  by  a  few  facts.  A  wen  on  the  head, 
though  a  A^ery  light  thing,  remaining  for  years,  will  cause  a 
portion  of  the  solid  bone  under  it  to  be  absorbed.  And  if  the 
skull  is  examined  after  death,  a  little  pit,  or  depression,  will  be 


THE   AGE.  437 

found  under  the  wen.  The  pressure  of  the  garter  causes  an 
absorption  of  the  muscles  under  it  and  of  the  shin-bone,  mak- 
ing a  little  notch  in  it. 

l^ow,  as  we  have  seen  that  the  germ  of  the  permanent  tooth 
lies  immediately  under  the  root  of  the  temporary  tooth,  when 
this  germ  begins  to  grow  it  will  commence  pressing  on  the 
root  of  the  temporary  tooth,  and  a  gradual  absorption  of  the 
root  takes  place.  This  pressure  being  continued  by  the  new 
tooth  still  growing,  the  root  will  eventually  be  entirely  ab- 
sorbed below  the  surface  of  the  gum,  and  the  old  tooth  will 
fall  off,  having  nothing  left  to  hold  it,  or,  perhaps,  being  loosened 
from  the  gum  at  one  side,  will  be  held  by  a  small  bit  of  skin 
at  the  other,  and,  peeping  up  in  its  place,  will  be  found  the 
new  tooth. 

Hence,  we  see  that  the  old  tooth  is  not  "pushed  up,  or  punched 
or  crowded  out,"  as  many  suppose,  but  is  merely  replaced  by 
the  new  one. 

Occasionally,  however,  nature  does  not  do  her  work  just 
exactly  according  to  rule,  and  the  new  tooth  does  not  come  up 
immediately  under  the  old  one,  but  comes  up  by  the  side  of 
the  root  of  the  milk-tooth,  and  thus  the  pressure  is  made  along 
the  whole  length  of  the  tooth-crown  as  well  as  fang,  which 
crowds  it  out  to  the  fore-part  of  the  first  grinder,  where  it 
will  remain  for  some  time  under  the  name  of  wolf's-tooth, 
causing  soreness  and  tenderness  of  the  gums,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  wounding  the  cheek.  This  would  probably  be  quite 
absorbed,  but  not  for  some  time.  Hence,  it  is  proper  to 
remove  it  as  soon  as  it  is  discovered,  for  the  horse  can  not  eat 
without  some  inconvenience  while  it  remains. 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  explain  the  order  of  the  shedding,  or 
casting,  of  the  temporary,  milk,  colt,  or  deciduous  teeth,  and 
the  appearances  of  the  permanent  set ;  and  this  takes  place 
much  in  the  same  order  as  the  appearance  of  the  first  teeth. 

At  the  age  of  two  years  the  first  grinders  give  place  to  large, 
permanent  ones.     In  the  spring,  before  the  colt  arrives  at  three 


438 


NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 


years  of  age,  he  will  slied  the  front  pair  of  ni2:>pers  in  each 
jaw.  Some  early  colts  change  sooner  than  this;  but  those 
foaled  in  May  or  June  commence  showing  signs  of  casting  the 

middle  teeth  in  the  spring.  The  gum 
will  have  the  appearance  of  receding, 
and  very  soon  the  fang  of  the  old  tooth 
will  be  quite  absorbed,  and  the  young 
tooth  wdll  appear  in  its  place  as  if  it 
had  pushed  the  old  one  out.  This  is 
called  the  three-year.-old  mouth.  The  up- 
per pair  of  front  nippers  are  usually  cast 
first,  and  then  the  lower.  While  these 
new  teeth  are  growing,  the  colt  may  have  some  difiiculty  in 
obtaining  sufficient  food  by  grazing,  and  if  so,  should  be  fed 
on  bran  or  other  soft  food.  The  colt  should  be  well  fed  while 
shedding  his  teeth. 

The  accompanying  cut  represents  the  three-year-old  mouth. 
The  two  middle  nippers  are  not  grown  to  their  full  length. 
They  are  slow  in  their  growth,  and  it  is  well  they  should  be, 
for  otherwise  they  would  stick  up  above  the  others,  and  the 
colt  could  not  nip  with  all  together.  When  full-grown  they 
are  longer  than  the  temporary  teeth,  and  also  wider,  which 
might 'seem  impossible,  as  they  are  destined  to  occupy  the 
same  position;  but  the  colt's  teeth  are  constantly  diminishing 
in  size  by  wearing  off  at  the  top,  and  becoming  narrovv'er,  as 
they  are  smaller  toward  the  root  tl^an  at  the  top ;  the  jaw  is 
also  growing,  which  makes  the  spaces  between  the  teeth  wider, 
and  thus  room  is  afforded  for  the  larger  permanent  teeth. 

The  llrst  incisors  are  somewhat  round  on  the  outside,  and  a 
little  hollowing  on  the  inside;  their  surface  is  also  smooth. 
The  new  ones  have  two  grooves  on  the  front  side,  extending 
from  the  edge  downward.  The  new  ones  have  a  mark,  the 
same  as  their  predecessors.  It  is  long,  narrow,  deep,  and  black. 
In  the  three-year-old  mouth  the  mark  in  the  second  pair  of 
nippers  is  almost,  if  not  entirely,  obliterated,  and  fast  wearing 


THE   AGE.  439 

from  the  corner  ones.  By  an  examination  of  these,  not  only 
the  age  may  be  determined,  but  the  villainous  fraud  detected, 
sometimes  practiced  by  dealers,  of  selling  an  early  two-year- 
old  for  a  three-year  old.  This  is  done  in  the  following  way: 
Some  colts  come  three  or  four  months  earlier  than  others,  and, 
consequently,  their  second  teeth  commence  to  grow  sooner. 
The  rogue  punches  out  the  two  front  teeth,  and  thus  removes 
the  pressure  of  the  roots  on  the  new  ones,  and,  consequently, 
they  grow  faster.  After  they  appear,  the  jockey  represents 
the  colt  as  being  a  late  comer,  one  of  the  year  previous  to  his 
birth,  and  is  thus  enabled  to  sell  him  at  an  advanced,  price; 
but  this  fraud  can  easily  be  detected  by  attention  to  the  de- 
scription I  have  given  of  the  mouth  at  this  age.  It  must  be 
carefully  remembered  that  the  mark  will  be  too  visible  in  the 
other  teeth.  Also  the  upper  jaw  should  be  examined,  for  the 
rogue  generally  confines  his  operations  to  the  lower  one,  seldom 
interfering  with  the  upper  one.  The  two-year-old  mouth  will 
generally  be  found  here,  though  nine  times  out  of  ten  the  up- 
per ones  are  first  to  change.  Next  year — that  is,  previous  to 
the  colt  becoming  four  years  old — about  the  same  time  of  the 
year,  the  second  pair  of  nippers  will  be  shed.  At  this  time 
the  mouth  can  not  be  mistaken.  The  central  nippers  will  have 
attained  nearly  their  full  growth,  and  a  space  will  be  left  where 
the  second  pair  stood,  and,  perhaps,  the  new  ones  making  their 
appearance.  The  corner  ones  will  be  diminished  in  breadth 
and  worn  down,  the  mark  being  worn  nearly  out.  At  this 
period  the  second  pair  of  grinders  will  be  shed.  Previous  to 
this,  also,  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  give  the  three-year- 
old  an  appearance  of  a  four,  by  a  similar  process  to  that  before 
described. 

Our  cut  represents  the  four-year-old  mouth.  The  center  nip- 
pers are  fully  grown ;  the  front  edges,  which  were  sharp,  are 
somewhat  blunted ;  the  mark  in  them  is  becoming  short,  wide, 
and  narrow.  The  next  pair  are  now  full  grown,  but  smaller 
than  the  middle  or  corner  ones.     The  corner  ones  will  be 


440 


NAVIX   OX   THE   HORSE. 


evidently  smaller  than  when  first  matured,  and  having  the 
mark  almost  worn  out.  As  with  the  others,  a  change  next 
takes  x:>lace  in  the  corner  nippers.  At  four  and  a  half,  or  be- 
tween that  and  five,  they  begin  to 
strip,  and  are  soon  replaced  by  their 
successors. 

At  this  time,  also,  the  animal  starts 
^y        -^        \        ^'W  ^^^  tushes.     They  come  up  between 

the  nippers  and  grinders,  rather  near- 
er the  former  than  the  latter,  but  the 
distance  increases  as  the  jaw  grows, 
which  continues  until  seven. 

At  five,  the  mouth  being  full,  the 
nippers  all  set,  the  four  tushes  from  three  to  five  months  old, 
the  colt  becomes  a  horse,  and,  at  the  same  age,  the  filly,  a 
mare,  her  mouth  passing  through  the  same  changes,  except  as 
regards  the  tushes,  which,  in  many  cases,  do  not  appear  at  all, 
but  in  others  appear  only  as  small  and  rudimentary. 

The  cut  shows  tlie  five-year-old 
mouth.  The  tush  is  round  and  sharp, 
and,  at  first,  having  a  groove  on  each 
side,  and  hollow  within,  like  a  hog's 
tush.  The  corner  nippers  are  full 
grown,  the  mark  long,  deep,  and  nar- 
row, and  irregular  on  the  inside. 
The  tush  is  still  sharp,  but  the 
groove  on  the  outside  worn  out,  or 
nearly  so,  and  the  outside  convex,  or 
round.  The  sixth  pair  of  molars  are  up  at  this  time,  and  the 
third  is  wanting.  These  appearances  must  be  carefully  ob- 
served to  prevent  deception,  by  the  attempt  to  put  ofi*  a  four 
for  a  five-year  old.  The  only  teeth  which  remain  permanent, 
or  are  never  shed,  are  the  last  three  j^airs  of  grinders  and  the 
tushes.  All  the  others,  as  we  have  seen,  are  cast,  and  replacod 
at  most  remarkably  regular  intervals  of  time,  and  in  such  a 


THE   AGE. 


441 


way  as  to  occasion  the  animal  but  comparatively  little  incon- 
venience, as  well  as  furnishing  a  very  accurate  record  of  his 
age,  which  can  easily  be  read  by  a  little  experience. 

After  five  the  indications  of  age  begin  to  become  more  ob- 
scure, the  only  way  of  determining  it  being  by  the  wearing 
down  of  the  nippers  causing  the  gradual  change  and  final 
wearing  out  of  the  mark.  Sometimes,  however,  a  horse  has 
what  is  called  a  shell-tooth  ;  but  this  is  seldom  the  case.  To 
an  inexperienced  observer  such  a  horse  presents  a  seven-year- 
old  mouth  for  life,  but  to  a  judge,  however,  this  j)i'esents  no 
mystery.  These  shell-teeth  fill  the  mouth,  in  front,  level  with 
the  others,  and  are  of  the  natural  shape  on  the  outside,  but  on 
the  inside  they  are  of  the  form  of  a  sea-shell.  Consequently, 
the  mark  in  them  never  wears  out ;  but,  by  attention  to  the 
following  description  of  the  ordinary  mouth,  these  need  occa- 
sion no  difficulty. 

Oar  next  cut  represents  the  sLv- 
year-old  mouth  with  the  mark  en- 
tirely gone  in  the  front  pair  of  nip- 
pers. There  still  remains,  however, 
a  slight  depression  of  the  cement 
filling  the  center,  and  this  is,  of 
course,  surrounded  by  enamel.  This 
depression  is  of  a  dark  or  brown 
color,  from  the  stain  imparted  to  it 
by  the  herbs  on  which  the  animal  feeds.  Outside  of  this  rino; 
of  enamel  the  bony  substance  also  is  worn  below  the  level  of 
the  enamel,  and  also  presents  a  stained  or  brown  appearance. 
Their  cutting  edge  is  quite  smooth.  The  second  pair  arc  ap- 
proaching the  appearance  of  the  first,  the  mark  becoming 
short,  broad,  and  faint.  The  corner  ones  show  evident  signs 
of  wear.  The  tushes  have  reached  their  full  growth,  and  are 
from  three-fourths  to  an  inch  in  length,  rounded  to  tlic  outside 
and  hollow  to  the  inside,  and  tending  to  be  hooked  toward  the 
point.     The  third  pair  of  grinders  are  of  their  full  length,  and 


442 


NAVIX   ON   THE   HOESE. 


all  the  grinders  are  level.  At  this  period,  or  perhaps  six  months 
previous,  the  horse  may  be  said  to  have  a  perfect  mouth,  all 
the  changes  in  the  teeth,  except  those  produced  by  wear, 
having  been  completed.  Hitherto,  we  have  been  judging  of 
the  horse's  age  by  the  combined  indications  of  the  growth  and 
wear.     Hereafter  we  shall  have  nothing  to  direct  us  but  those 

of  wear. 

At  seven,  as  the  annexed  cut  rep- 
resents, the  mark  has  entirely  dis- 
appeared from  the  four  inner  teeth, 
and  very  nearly  from  the  corner 
ones ;  the  second  pair  showing  about 
the  appearance  the  front  pair  did 
at  six,  while  the  latter  will  be  much 
more  worn.  The  tushes  begin  to 
show  marks  of  wear,  being  rounded 
at  the  point,  still  rounded  outside  and  at  the  edges,  and  becom- 
ing so  on  the  inside. 

The  next  cut  shows  the  eight-year- 
old  mouth,  with  the  mark  gone 
from  all  the  nippers  below,  which, 
indeed,  is  generally  the  case  some 
time  previous  to  the  horse  filling 
his  eighth  year.  The  tushes  are 
now  rounded  in  every  way.  As 
soon  as  age  commences  to  reduce 
the  horse,  the  knave  sometimes 
tries  to  give  the  mouth  a  counterfeit  appearance  to  enhance 
his  value,  his  object  being  to  keep  the  horse  of  the  appearance 
of  seven  years  old,  though  he  may  be  ten,  or  more.  This  is 
called  '' BisliojfAng,''  the  name  being  derived  from  the  rascal 
who  invented  the  trick.  To  accomplish  it,  the  horse  is  thrown, 
and  a  hole  is  punched  in  the  two  corner  teeth,  resembling 
the  depressions  in  the  seven-year-old's  teeth.  This  is  then 
burned  with  a  hot  iron,  which  imparts  a  dark  stain.     The 


THE   AGE.  443 

second  pair  are  also  slightly  stamped,  and  touclied  with  the 
iron.  This  fraud  is  easily  detected  by  the  appearance  of  the 
teeth  in  the  upper  jaw,  which  the  buyer  should  examine,  even 
in  the  absence  of  the  suspicion  of  "Bishoping."  The  upper 
nippers  retain  the  mark  three  or  four  years  longer  than  the 
lower.  The  reason  of  this  is,  because  the  upper  jaw  is  fixed 
or  stationary,  and  the  food  is  only  pressed  against  it,  while, 
by  the  lateral  grinding  motion  of  the  lower  jaw,  its  teeth  rub 
on  the  food,  causing  them  to  be  more  rapidly  worn  away.  As 
the  upper  nippers  furnish  the  only  reliable  indication  of  the 
age  from  eight  up  to  eleven  or  twelve,  I  shall  now  give  their 
appearances,  until  the  mark  in  them  is  entirely  obliterated,  or 
worn  out. 

At  nine  the  mark  will  be  worn  out  of  the  middle  pair  of 
upper  incisors,  and  they  Avill  have  the  appearance  of  the 
lower  ones  as  described  at  six.  At  ten  the  second  pair  of 
upper  nippers  will  have  the  mark  worn  out  of  them,  present- 
ing the  appearance  of  the  lower  jaw  at  seven.  At  eleven, 
the  upper  corner  cutters  will  have  the  mark  worn  out,  and 
the  upper  jaw  will  correspond  to  the  appearance  of  the  lower 
at  eight. 

There  are,  however,  some  variations  from  the  order  of  the 
wearing  out  of  the  mark  in  the  upper  nippers.  In  some  cases 
the  mark  will  be  out  of  the  corner  ones  at  ten,  generally  at 
ten  and  a  half,  and  if  not,  it  may  remain  until  twelve.  Some 
rely  considertibly  on  the  tushes,  but  they  are  no  criterion  to  go 
by,  for  while  they  do  afford  any  indications  at  all,  there  are 
much  better  to  be  found  in  the  nippers.  The  back  teeth,  or 
grinders,  may  indeed  be  referred  to,  and  with  considerable 
accuracy,  but  they  are  too  far  from  view,  and  so  difftcult  to 
expose  as  to  render  their  examination  almost  impracticable. 

After  the  disappearance  of  the  marks,  the  best,  and  almost 
the  only  means  of  information  as  to  the  horse's  age,  are  the  in- 
dications presented  by  the  wear  and  tear,  and  these  can  only 


444  NAV1]N'   ox   THE   HOESE. 

furnish  approximate  certainty — perhaps  enable  one  to  judge 
within  a  year  or  two,  in  all  ordinary  cases.  In  the  first  place, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  consider  the  first  or  original  form  of 
the  nippers.  It  will  be  remembered  that  when  the  mouth  is 
perfect,  the  nippers  present  on  their  edges,  or  cutting  surface, 
an  oval  shape,  the  length  of  the  oval  running  across  from  tooth 
to  tooth.  At  eight  this  appearance  is  very  marked.  The 
teeth  being  wider  at  the  top  than  lower  down  toward  the  roots, 
as  has  been  before  remarked,  they  must  necessarily  become 
narrower  on  their  cutting  edges  as  they  are  worn  down.  At 
first  they  measure  widest  from  side  to  side,  but  as  they  wear 
down,  they  become  nearer  round,  until  finally  they  become 
broadest  from  inward  to  outward.  xVt  the  same  time,  also, 
the  oval  appearance  of  the  top  is  becoming  shorter  and 
shorter  until  it  becomes  round,  and  at  last  gets  to  run 
from  out  inward.  Another  indication  of  some  importance  is 
the  form  of  the  flesh,  or  gum,  around  and  between  the  teeth 
at  their  roots,  and  to  which  I  shall  refer  in  connection  with 
the  wear  of  the  teeth. 

Soon  after  eight  the  cutters  will  begin  to  change  their  shape 
from  oval,  becoming  round.  At  nine  the  front  pair  will  have 
become  perceptibly  more  round,  and  a  little  apart.  At  ten 
the  others  begin  to  have  the  oval  shortened.  At  eleven  the 
second  ones  will  have  become  quite  round,  with  the  spaces  be- 
tween them  and  the  first  opening ;  and  at  thirteen  the  corner 
ones  will  have  become  of  this  shape.  From  fourteen  to  fifteen 
the  face  of  the  middle  nippers  look  triangular.  At  seventeen 
all  of  them  will  have  the  triangular  appearance.  At  nine- 
teen the  triangular  corners  begin  to  v/ear  ofi",  and  the  oval 
changes  in  the  front  nippers  from  running  laterally  to  out- 
ward and  inward;  and,  the  last  change  that  can  bo  traced,  they 
all  wear  this  appearance  at  twenty-one. 

A  strong  presumption  of  the  horse's  age  may  be  drawn 
from  the  appearance  of  the  roots  of  the  teeth.  It  will  be  re- 
membered that  the  enamel  extends  but  a  little  below  the  gum. 


THE    AGE.        .  445 

After  the  teeth  have  worn  down  a  considerable  distance,  if 
the  flesh  kept  its  phice,  they  coukl  hardly  be  seen  at  fifteen. 
But  the  fact  is,  they  keep  their  length,  or  very  nearly  so.  This 
is  effected  by  the  growth  of  the  bony  part  of  the  tooth,  the 
enamel  never  being  repaired,  and  by  the  flesh  or  gum  strip- 
ping off  the  root,  which  was  once  covered.  This  portion  be- 
comes covered  with  tartar,  which  gives  the  yellow  appearance 
of  the  teeth  of  old  horses. 

At  about  ten  the  inner  gums  and  bara  of  the  palate  com- 
mence to  shrink,  and,  as  this  becomes  greater,  indicates  ad- 
vancing age. 

There  are  some  indications  of  age,  of  a  general  character, 
wdiich  deserve  notice — among  which  may  be  mentioned  the 
general  expression  of  the  horse ;  the  deepening  of  the  hollows 
above  the  eyes ;  the  appearance  of  white  hairs,  particularly 
about  the  eyes  and  muzzle  ;  shrinking  and  hanging  down  of 
the  lips ;  sharpening  of  the  withers ;  swagging  down  of  the 
back ;  lengthening  of  the  quarters  ;  sharpening  of  the  border 
of  the  lower  jaw,  and  the  disappearance  or  absorption  of  all 
tumors,  spavins,  w^ind-galls,  etc. 

The  means  of  ascertaining  the  allotted  2:)eriod  of  the  horse's 
age  are  very  unsatisfactory.  So  man}^  circumstances  attend 
the  domesticated  animal,  tending  to  the  more  or  less  rapid  de- 
struction of  his  system,  that  it  is  very  diflicult,  if  not  impossi- 
ble, to  ascertain  what  would  be  the  "  number  of  the  days  of 
his  years,"  were  the  laws  of  his  being  never  violated.  A  few 
cases  of  great  age  are  on  record.  Blaine  tells  of  a  gentleman 
'  who  had  three  horses  which  died  at  the  ages,  respectively,  of 
thirty-five,  thirty-seven,  and  thirty-nine.  Percival  gives  an 
account  of  a  barge-horse  that  attained  the  ^eat  age  of  sixty- 
two  years.  Cully  also  tells  of  a  horse  which  received  a  ball 
in  his  neck  at  the  battle  of  Preston,  in  1715,  and  which  was 
extracted  at  his  death  in  1758.  Many  stallions  in  the  United 
States  have  attained  a  very  advanced  age.  The  Morgan 
horses  live  to  a  good  old  age  generally.     The  original,  or  Jus- 


446  XAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

tin  Morgan,  died  from  the  effects  of  a  kick  at  the  age  of 

years,  and  was,  at  the  time  he  was  hurt,  in  almost  full 
possession  of  his  great  strength.  Upon  the  whole,  I  think 
that  twenty-one  might  be  regarded  as  the  horse's  natural  age. 
Perhaps  as  great  a  per  cent,  of  horses  live  beyond  that  age, 
as  of  the  human  family  live  over  "threescore  and  ten." 
Zoologists  give  us  the  rule  that  the  natural  life  of  an  animal 
is  five  times  the  time  it  takes  it  to  attain  its  full  growth.  Ac- 
cording to  this  rule,  the  natural  age  of  the  horse  would  be 
about  twenty-five  years. 


DIVISION   IV. 

MEDICINES,  INSTRUMENTS,  AND  APPARATUSES. 


MEDICINES. 

Ix  this  part  of  tlie  work  I  shall  describe  all  the  medicines 
used  in  the  treatment  of  the  diseases  of  the  horse.  I  shall  ex- 
plain, as  clearly  as  possible,  their  appearance,  manner  of  prep- 
aration, eifect  when  given,  the  size  of  the  dose,  and  the  way 
it  is  to  be  given.  This  part  of  the  work  will  be  found  so  com- 
plete that  in  it  may  be  found  from  three  to  a  dozen  reliable 
medicines  for  nearly  every  disease  to  which  the  horse  is  liable. 
Many  of  these  are  articles  always  on  hand  in  the  farmer's 
house,  or  easily  obtained,  so  that  if  a  horse  is  taken  suddenly 
sick,  a  safe  medicine  may  be  selected  and  given,  without  sub- 
jecting the  horse  to  the  torture  of  the  many  ignorant  fellows 
who  are  always  ready  to  throw  dose  after  dose  into  his  stom- 
ach without  being  able  to  tell  what  effect  they  expect  their 
medicines  will  have,  and  who  can  not  even  tell  when  the  dose 
they  liaA^e  given  is  having  a  good  or  bad  effect.  I  have  known 
dose  after  dose  of  articles  given  a  sick  horse,  when  the  very 
first  one  given  would  have  been  sufficient  to  have  injured  or 
killed  the  animal. 

Medicines  are  classed  according  to  the  effect  they  produce 
when  given.  I  shall  explain  the  effect  of  the  princiiml  classes, 
namely : 

Cathartics. — These  are  such  articles  of  medicine  as  act  on 
the  bowels  in  such  a  way  as  to  cause  several  or  frequent  opera- 
tions, which  generally  take  place  in  from  three  to  twelve  hours 

(447) 


448  NAVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

after  the  medicine  is  given.  Some  produce  very  watery  oper- 
ations ;  others  seem  only  to  increase  the  number  without  much 
altering  the  appearance ;  others  cause  a  much  greater  quantity 
of  bile  in  the  operations.  Cathartics  are  sometimes  called 
physics.  They  do  a  great  deal  of  harm  when  improperly  given ; 
but  when  properly  given,  they  are  very  valuable  in  many  dis- 
eases. The  principal  medicines  used  as  cathartics,  or  physics, 
in  the  treatment  of  the  diseases  of  the  horse,  are,  aloes,  salts, 
croton  oil,  podophyllin,  linseed-oil,  etc. 

Laxatives  are  medicines  which  act  but  slightly  on  the  bow- 
els. Cathartics  in  small  doses  generally,  but  not  always,  act 
as  laxatives. 

Diuretics  are  articles  which  increase  the  quantity  of  urine  or 
water.  They  are  very  useful  agents,  but  if  too  long  given 
may  do  much  mischief.  They  are  very  valuable  in  fevers  and 
inflammations.  Among  the  diuretics  most  frequently  given 
are  niter,  sweet  spirits  of  niter,  turpentine,  cream  of  tartar,  and 
digitalis.  When  giving  diuretics,  the  patient  should  be  kept 
cool,  and  allowed  to  drink  freely. 

I)ia])horetics  are  medicines  which  cause  sweating,  or  increase 
the  insensible  perspiration  from  the  skin.  Those  articles  which 
act  as  diaphoretics  on  the  horse  arc  not  very  numerous.  An- 
timony and  sulphur  are  most  frequently  employed.  But  warm 
clothing  and  good  rubbing  are  the  most  effectual  where  the  ob- 
ject is  to  produce  condition.  To  cause  prompt  and  free  sweat- 
ing, the  most  powerful  means  is  the  "  whisky  sweat,"  or  steam- 
ing.    They  are  the  most  useful  in  inflammations. 

Astringents  are  medicines  which  lessen  or  stop  discharges, 
either  natural  or  unnatural,  as  the  discharges  from  the  bowels, 
nose,  kidneys,  or  from  bleeding  vessels,  wounds,  etc.  They  act 
by  "  puckering  up  "  the  parts  from  which  the  discharge  takes 
place.  Some  astringents  are  to  be  given  internally;  some  are 
to  be  applied  to  the  part  from  Avhich  the  discharge  occurs. 
Alum,  sugar  of  lead,  tannin,  opium,  persulj)hate  of  iron,  kino, 
and  catechu  are  valuable  astringents. 


MEDICINES.  449 

Nauseants — medicines  which  cause  sickness  at  the  stomach. 
Medicines  which  vomit  the  human  patient  are  only  nauseants 
to  the  horse.  There  are  many  of  them,  as  tartar  emetic,  lo- 
belia, blood-root,  sulphate  of  zinc,  etc.  They  are  frequently 
used  in  the  treatment  of  the  diseases  of  the  horse,  and  are  very 
valuable  remedies.     They  are  substitutes  for  bleeding. 

Stimulants — articles  which  increase  the  heat  of  the  system, 
and  increase  the  action  of  the  heart  and  lungs.  They  have  a 
hot  or  pungent  taste.  They  are  useful  in  many  cases,  both 
internally  and  rubbed  on  the  outside.  Capsicum,  or  Cayenne 
pepper,  ginger,  black  pepper,  camphor,  whisky,  and  many 
other  articles  belong  to  this  class. 

Tonics  are  medicines  which  improve  the  tone  or  energies  of 
the  system.  Most  bitter  plants,  and  iron,  belong  to  this  class. 
Their  eifect  is  to  improve  the  blood. 

AntisjKismodics  are  medicines  wdiich  act  on  the  system  in 
such  a  w\ay  as  to  relieve  spasms.  This  name  means  opposed 
to  spasms.  They  are  useful  in  lock-jaw,  colic,  apoplexy,  and. 
several  other  diseases.  Turpentine,  chloroform,  lobelia,  asa- 
fcetida,  gelseminum,  and  prickly-ash  belong  to  this  class. 

Narcotics  are  medicines  which  benumb  the  sensibility  of  the' 
system.  They  lessen  the  disposition  to  move,  and  produce 
sleep.  In  overdoses  they  prodiTce  death.  Opium,  tobacco,, 
hemlock,  and  belladonna,  or  deadly  nightshade,  are  narcotics.. 

Sedatives  lessen  the  action  and  power  of  the  muscles,  nerves,. 
and  arteries.  They  are  generally  narcotics  also.  The  seda- 
tives most  used  are  digitalis,  niter,  opium,  and  veratrum  viride.. 

Carminatives  are  articles  which  expel  or  drive  off  wind,  as 
caraway  seeds,  prickly-ash  berries,  compound  spirits  of  laven- 
der, black  pepper,  ginger,  cloves,  sage,  peppermint,  etc.     They 
are  useful  in  colic,  and  windy  griping  in  any  disease.    If  no  other 
remedy  is  at  hand,  in  colic  any  of  these  may  be  given  freely.. 

Belaxants  deprive  the  muscles  of  their  power,  so  that  they 
are  not  under  the  control  of  the  will.     Lobelia  and  gelsemi- 
num are  of  this  class. 
29 


450  NAVIX   ON    THE   HORSE. 

JExjjectoranfs  loosen  the  mucus  in  the  air-passages.  They  are 
very  useful  in  dry  coughs.     JN'auseants  act  as  expectorants. 

Befrigerants  are  cooling  medicines.  A  cooling  eifect  may 
be  produced  by  a  cathartic,  diaphoretic,  or  diuretic.  Refrig- 
erants are  useful  in  fevers  and  inflammation. 

Alteratives  are  medicines  which  act  generally  and  continu- 
ally on  the  system,  gradually  improving  the  health  by  improv- 
ing  the  blood  and  acting  on  the  glands  of  the  system.  They 
are  very  valuable,  but  are  often  given  when  the  natural  re- 
parative powers  of  the  system  vv^ould  do  better  without  them. 
They  are  useful  in  surfeit,  mange,  farcy,  glanders,  consump- 
tion, and  many  other  unhealthy  conditions  of  the  system. 
Antimony,  niter,  sulphur,  ginger,  and  mercury  are  used  as 
.alteratives. 

Vermifuges — medicines  that  remove  worms.  Those  used  in 
veterinary  practice  are  quite  numerous,  aloes,  calomel,  tartar 
.emetic,  wood-ashes,  turpentine,  etc.,  etc.  (See  "  Treatment  of 
Worms.") 

AntiseiJtics — articles    which    stop    putrefaction.     Charcoal, 
yeast,  sulphate  of  zinc,  creosote,  pyroligneous  acid,  etc. 
Vesicants — articles  that  raise  blisters  or  vesicles. 
Caustics — agents  which  burn  the  skin  or  flesh  to  which  they 
•are  applied,  as  caustic  potash,  lunar  caustic,  aqua  fortis,  and 
the  actual  cautery,  or  hot  iron. 

There  are  several  other  names  which  indicate  the  action  of 
medicines,  but  the  above  list  will  be  sufficient  for  our  purpose. 
It  must  be  remembered  that  nearly  every  medicine  has  sev- 
eral different  properties.  Hence,  the  same  medicine  may  be 
.good  in  quite  a  number  of  different  diseases. 

Some  medicines  are  given  to*  the  horse  in  the  form  of  a 
drench,  which  is  poured  into  the  back  part  of  the  mouth,  so 
that  the  horse  can  not  avoid  swallowing  it;  others  are  formed 
into  a  ball,  which  is  simply  a  big  pill,  and  which  is  forced  far 
back  in  the  mouth  by  the  hand,  or  an  instrument  used  for  the 
purpose,  so  that  it  has  to  be  swallowed ;  others  are  given  in 


LIST   OF   MEDICINES.  451 

powder  mixed  with  the  feed  of  the  horse.  ]\Iany  liquid  medi- 
cines are  also  given  in  this  way.  Indeed,  nearly  all  medicines 
may  b6  given  in  some  kind  of  feed,  unless  so  disagreeable  to 
the  taste  as  to  make  the  horse  refuse  the  feed.  Of  course,  when 
the  horse  is  too  sick  to  eat,  the  medicine  must  be  given  in 
some  other  way. 

LIST  OF  MEDICINES. 

Acetic  Acid. — This  is  a  very  strong  acid.  It  has  great 
power  of  dissolving,  or  eating  up,  many  substances.  It  will 
destroy  the  animal  part  of  bone,  leaving  the  solid  part.  It  is 
used  by  some  for  the  purpose  of  blistering.  It  acts  very  quick. 
The  following  is  a  good  vesicating  liquid  to  raise  little  blisters : 

Take — Acetic  acid 4  ounces. 

Water 1  pint. 

Powdered  cantliarides ^  ounce. 

Mis,  and  let  it  stand  two  weeks,  shaking  it  daily,  and  then  pour  off  the  liquid 
and  bottle  for  use. 

A  sponge  or  scA^eral  folds  of  cloth  may  be  wet  with  this, 
and  bound  to  the  part,  or  it  may  be  frequently  rubbed  on  as  a 
liniment.  Its  use  may  be  continued  from  day  to  day.  Use- 
ful in  callous  or  hardened  swellings,  spavin,  ring-bone,  and 
splint. 

Alcohol  is  the  intoxicating  principle  of  all  liquors.  When 
separated  from  them  it  is  a  clear  liquid,  and  in  this  country  is 
formed  of  two  standard  strengths.  The  stronger  article,  called 
rectified  sjjirit,  has  a  specific  gravity  of  0.835.  The  weaker 
article  is  caWed  dilute  alcohol,  or  proof  spirit,  and  has  a  specific 
gravity  of  0.935,'  being  about  one-half  water,  etc.  Alcohol  is 
used  very  extensively  in  preparing  medicines,  as  tinctures, 
extracts,  etc.  It  has  the  power  of  extracting  the  virtues  of 
most  plants,  and,  hence,  it  is  useful  in  making  tinctures.  It  is 
added  to  infusions  to  preserve  them  from  spoiling.  It  is  used  * 
as  an  external  application  to  stimulate  the  skin;  also  in  lice 
to  destroy  them.     Internally,  it  is  a  pure  stimulant. 


452  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

Alum. — This  is  a  well-known  medicine.  It  is  a  valuable 
astringent.  Burned  alum  is  a  mild  caustic,  often  applied  to 
fung-us,  or  proud-fiesh.  The  dose  of  it,  internally,  is  from  two 
to  four  drams,  or  even  an  ounce.  It  is  used  in  founder,  and 
may  be  used  in  diarrhea,  to  check  the  frequency  of  the  dis- 
charges. 

Aloes. — There  are  several  kinds  of  aloes  kept  by  druggists, 
but  the  best  for  veterinary  practice  is  the  Barbadoes  aloes, 
which  is  the  only  kind  recommended  in  this  book,  and  those 
using  it  should  always  call  for  it.  Barbadoes  aloes  is  a  dark 
brow^n  substance,  resembling  an  extract,  and  is  hard  to  pul 
verize.  It  is  a  hardened  juice  obtained  from  the  leaves  of 
a  foreign  plant.  It  is  best  to  powder  enough  of  Barbadoes 
aloes  for  a  year's  use  in  frosty  weather,  as  it  is  very  dif 
ficult  to  pulverize  it  in  warm  w^eather.  The  powdered  aloes 
should  be  kept  in  well-stopped  bottles. 

Aloes  is  the  principal  article  used  as  a  cathartic,  or  physic, 
in  the  treatment  of  the  horse.  The  dose  is  about  eight  drams, 
or  one  ounce  in  weight,  which  would  be  of  the  powdered  drug 
about  two  or  three  rounding  table-spoonfuls.  It  has  been  very 
common  to  give  aloes  in  the  form  of  a  ball,  or  big  pill,  but  it 
takes  this  a  long  time  to  dissolve.  It  is  far  better  to  give 
it  in  solution.  The  best  method  of  giving  it  is  to  have  the 
drug  well  powdered,  then  mix  with  the  dose  of  aloes  one 
table-spoonful  of  ginger,  and  mix  it  in  a  pint  of  boiling  water, 
stirring  it  frequently  until  cool.  To  be  given  as  a  drench, 
or  draught. 

As  it  is  a  good  plan  to  keep  a  safe  and  reliable  physic  con 
stantly  on  hand,  either  of  the  two  following'  preparations  of 
aloes  may  be  used  for  this  purpose : 

Take — Powdered  aloes 15  ounces. 

Powdered  ginger 1  ounce. 

Palm-oil 8  ounces. 

Beat  all  thorouglily  together  to  form  a  mass. 


LIST    OF    MEDICINES.  453 


This  may  be  kept  in  a  wide-mouthed  bottle  or  earthern  pot, 
well  covered  for  use.  To  be  given  in  a  ball  the  size  of  a 
walnut,  which  can  be  made  when  needed.     Mix  with  flour. 


Take — Powdered    gum-arabic 1  ounce. 

Powdered   aloes      2  ounces. 

Put  into  a  pint  of  boiling  water,  and  stir  frequently. 

When  cold,  add  to  it  two  ounces  of  tincture  of  ginger  to 
prevent  it  from  griping,  and  to  keep  it  from  spoiling.  To  be 
put  in  a  ,bottle,  and  kept  corked  for  use.  The  dose  of  this 
is  from  six  to  eight  ounces,  or  twelve  to  sixteen  table-spoon- 
fuls.    To  be  given  as  a  drench,  or  drink. 

The  following  is  very  useful  in  wounds  which  do  not  heal 
properly.  It  is  very  healing,  and  also  protects  the  wound 
from  the  air.     To  be  applied  as  a  liniment : 

Take — Powdered   aloes 2  ounces. 

Powdered  myrrh J  ounce. 

Diluted   alcoliol 1  quart. 

Mix  thoroughly  together  in  a  bottle,  cork  well,  and  shake  it  every  day  for 
two  weeks.     Then  let  it  settle. 

The  practice  of  giving  physic  in  broken,  or  divided,  doses  is 
wrong.  There  is  no  advantage  in  it  in  any  case,  and  it  may 
produce  inflammation  of  the  bowels.  When  physic  is  neces- 
sary, give  a  full  dose  at  once. 

Ammonia. — There  are  several  preparations  of  ammonia. 
The  carbonate  of  ammonia  is  a  stimulant,  used  after  inflamma- 
tion is  reduced  in  lung-fever.  The  dose  is  sixty  grains  in  a 
pint  of  water. 

Aqiia  ammonia  is  used  as  an  external  stimulant.  It  enters 
into  the  formation  of  many  liniments, 

Asafoetida  is  a  well-known  gum  of  a  strong,  garlicky  smell. 
It  is  given  either  in  the  gum  or  tincture.  It  is  stimulant 
and  antispasmodic,  exerting  an  especial  control  over  the  nerv- 
ous system.     It  is  used  by  some  in  inflammation  of  the  brain, 


454  TsAVIN   ox   THE    HOESE. 

vertigo,  pleurisy,  catarrh,  thick  wind,  bloody  urine,  indigestion, 
moon-blindness,  lock-jaw,  stringhalt,  hysteria,  dropsical  swell- 
ing o£  the  legs,  and  button  farcy.  Gum  asafoetida  is  given 
in  doses  of  from  twenty  grains  to  two  drams.  It  is  often  used 
as  a  preventive,  to  prevent  horses  from  taking  disease,  and 
particularly  those  of  a  contagious  nature.  For  this  purpose 
a  portion  is  tied  up  in  a  rag  and  nailed  in  the  water-bucket, 
trouo-h,  or  fastened  to  the  bridle-bit.  If  immemorial  custom 
is  evidence  of  truth,  it  must  be  effective  for  this  purpose. 

Arnica  is  used  in  the  form  of  tincture.  It  exerts  great  con- 
trol over  inflammation.  It  is  most  used  as  an  application  to 
external  bruises  and  wounds  where  the  skin  is  not  much  broken. 
An  ounce  of  the  tincture  to  one  or  two  pints  of  water  forms  a 
wash  of  sufftcient  strength.  It  should  be  applied  to  the  bruised 
part  so  as  to  keep  it  constantly  wet.  A  cloth  w^et  in  the  solu- 
tion may  be  bound  to  the  part.  It  is  the  best  known  remedy 
for  bruises,  sprains,  or  any  local  inflammation. 

Tincture  of  arnica  is  used  internally  in  inflammatory  dis- 
eases, to  lessen  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  in  doses  of 
from  one  to  four  drams,  repeated  every  four  hours.  If  the 
larger  dose  is  first  given,  the  dose  must  be  decreased  afterward. 
It  is  to  be  given  in  a  pint  of  water.  It  has  been  used  with 
success  in  inflammation  of  the  eyes.  For  this  purpose  it  may 
be  used  in  proportion  of  one  ounce  to  a  pint  of  water. 

Arsenic. — This  is  a  mineral  seldom  met  with.  The  article 
found  in  our  drug-stores  and  called  arsenic,  is  only  arsenious 
acid.  It  is  a  white  powder,  with  a  faint,  sweetish  taste.  It  is 
a  powerful  poison,  chiefly  affecting  the  stomach.  It  has  been 
used  as  a  tonic  in  from  ten  to  twenty  grains  daily.  It  is  the 
principal  article  used  by  jockeys  as  a  diqie,  given  in  about  five- 
grain  doses,  twice  a  dav,  in  the  feed.  It  soon  undermines  and 
destroys  the  constitution.  I  condemn,  as  not  only  useless  but 
dangerous,  the  internal  use  of  this  agent.  It  is  used  to  core 
out  old  ulcers.     (For  the  best  preparation  for  this  purpose,  con 


LIST   OF    MEDICINES.  455 

tainiug  arsenic,  see  the  prescription  given  under  the  head  of 
"Poll-evil") 

Balmonij  is  tonic,  cathartic,  and  vermifuge;  given  in  ana- 
sarca or  swelled  legs  for  its  tonic  effect.  Also  given  in  hide- 
bound. 

Balsam  of  fir  forms  a  good  application  for  cuts  and  wounds, 
protecting  them  from  the  air.  In  doses  of  an  ounce  it  is  used 
in  malignant  scarlet-fever. 

Balsam  of  Coi^aiba. — This  is  a  thick,  balsamic  liquid.  It  is 
useful  in  diseases  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder,  where  the  water 
is  not  healthy.  The  dose  is  one  ounce,  repeated  as  often  as 
necessary. 

Balm  of  Gilead  is  a  Avell-known  tree.  The  buds  are  used. 
They  are  stimulating,  alterative,  and  expectorant.  They  are 
used  in  tincture,  in  doses  of  from  half  an  ounce  to  an  ounce. 
Useful  in  heaves,  chronic  cough,  and  chronic  rheumatism. 

Bayhervij. — The  bark  of  bayberry,  pulverized,  is  alterative, 
astringent,  and  stimulant.  It  is  used  in  slavering,  diarrhea, 
grease,  and  by  some  in  inflammation  of  the  eyes.  It  is  a  good 
remedy,  and  deserves  some  attention.  The  layherru-tallow  is  a 
good  article  in  healing  and  cleansing  salves.  The  bark  may 
be  given  in  doses  of  an  ounce. 

Beefs  gall  is  successfully  applied  to  vrounds  in  which  splint- 
ers, snags,  or  any  other  foreign  body  are  remaining.  It  is  used 
in  forming  a  liniment  for  the  spine  and  jaws  in  lock-jaw. 

Black  Sulphurate  of  Antimony. — This  compound  of  sulphur  and 
antimony  is  an  alterative  much  used.  It  is  useful  in  most 
constitutional  diseases,  where  tlio  health  of  the  horse  is  grad- 
ually failing  and  he  is  losing  condition.  The  dose  is  from  one 
to  four  drams,  and  repeated  daily  for  some  time.  It  is  best 
to  give  it  in  combination  with  sulphur  and  niter.  It  should 
not  be  resorted  to  for  trifling  diseases. 

Bloodroot,  or  red  puccoon  root,  is  nauseant  and  expectorant. 
It  is  also  a  good  alterative,  and  arouses  the  action  of  the  glands. 


456  JN'AVIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

generally,  and  especially  the  liA^er.  It  is  useful  in  all  chronic 
affections  of  the  lungs  and  air-passages.  It  has  been  used  as 
an  application  to  foul  ulcers  or  sores.  The  dose  of  powdered 
bloodroot  is  from  two  to  four  drams. 

JBoneset  is  a  bitter  tonic  and  nauseant.  It  is  much  used  by 
some  in  aifections  of  the  lungs.  Dose,  from  one  to  two  drams 
of  the  powdered  leaves,  twice  a  day ;  generally  given  with 
other  articles. 

Burgundy  j)itcli  is  used  in  forming  charges  and  plasters,  to  give 
them  adhesiveness,  or  stickiness.  It  is  also  slightly  stimulat- 
ing to  the  part  to  which  it  is  applied.  The  common  pitch  may 
be  used  as  a  substitute  for  the  Burgundy  pitch.  One  pound  of 
pitch  and  one  ounce  of  yellow  beeswax,  melted  together,  form 
a  good  plaster  for  sand-cracks. 

Camphor. — This  is  a  white  substance,  commonly  called  gum- 
camphor.  It  dissolves  in  alcohol,  or  other  spirits.  It  is  gen- 
erally used  in  the  form  of  tincture.  (See  "  Tincture  of  Cam- 
phor.") It  has  often  been  used  as  a  promoter  of  condition, 
given  in  the  form  of  a  camphor-ball.  Garnishor  is  narcotic 
(causing  sleep)  in  its  properties.  It  lessens  the  action  of  the 
heart  and  arteries,  and  promotes  perspiration.  The  dose  is 
from  one  to  two  drams. 

Cantharides^  or  Spanish  Jlies,  is  one  of  the  most  important  rem 
edies  in  veterinary  practice.  Their  principal  use  is  in  the 
various  preparations  for  blistering.  These  preparations  are 
described  in  another  place.  The  tincture  of  cantharidcs  is 
given  internally,  in  some  cases.  It  arouses  the  passion  o^  the 
stallion,  given  in  doses  of  from  one  to  a  half  ounce. 

Caraivay  Seeds. — These  are  carminative,  (removing  wind), 
and  highly  recommended  by  some  writers  in  the  treatment  of 
colic.  They  are  doubtless  good  in  this  disease.  The}^  may  be 
given  in  the  form  of  powder  or  infusion.  The  dose  is  from 
half  a-ti  ounce  to  an  ounce,  or  more.  It  may  be  repeated  "is 
often  as  every  half  hour.  But  it  is  best  to  give  it  in  combins- 
tion  with  other  remedies. 


LIST   OF   MEDICINES.  457 

Castor  is  stimulant  and  antispasmodic  (reducing  pain).  It 
is  used  in  lock-jaw  and  hysteria.  The  dose  is  from  one  to 
two  drams  of  the  substance  itself — from  four  to  six  drams  of 
the  tincture. 

Castor-oil. — This  article  is  only  spoken  of  for  the  purpose  of 
warning  those  who  may  be  tem2:)ted  to  rely  on  it  as  a  physic 
for  the  horse,  of  its  utter  uncertainty  and  frequent  danger.  It 
would  have  to  be  given  in  a  pound  or  pound  and  a  half  dose, 
and  even  then  it  would  be  uncertain. 

Catechu. — This  is  one  of  the  best  astringents  used.  It  may 
be  used  in  the  form  of  powder,  or  the  tincture  may  be  given. 
The  dose  is  fi'om  one  to  two  drams  of  the  powdered  drug; 
of  the  tincture,  one  to  two  ounces.  It  is  useful  in  violent 
purging,  or  scours.  But  it  is  best  to  give  medicine  to  correct 
the  condition  of  the  bowels,  or  give  it  in  combination  with  such. 

Caustic  ])otash  is  one  of  the  most  active  caustics.  It  is  found 
in  round  sticks  in  the  stores.  It  dissolves  or  .eats  the  flesh 
away  where  it  is  applied  very  fast.  It  produces  pain  like  a 
coal  of  fire  or  hot  iron.  The  stick  may  be  used  to  open  deep 
ulcers  or  abscesses. 

Common  potash. — The  common  potash  is  used  as  a  cure  for 
fistula  and  poll-evil.  The  pipe,  or  sinus,  is  stuffed  full  of  the 
potash.  A  most  powerful  inflammation  is  excited,  and  large 
quantities  of  matter  are  thrown  out.  The  inflammation  and 
swelling  commence  to  go  down  in  a  few  days,  leaving  a  whitish 
pipe  sticking  up,  which  readily  comes  out.  All  that  is  then 
necessary  to  effect  the  cure  is  rest,  and,  in  some  cases,  simple 
dressings,  as  wet  cloths,  or  some  mild  salve. 

Cayenne  Pejijyer. — This  article  is  generally  found  as  a  red 
powder,  and  known  by  the  name  of  caimcum.  It  is  stimulant, 
carminative,  (removing  wind),  and  antispasmodic  (relieving 
pain).  It  may  be  used  wherever  a  quick  and  powerful  stimu- 
lant is  necessary.  The  dose  is  from  ten  to  twenty  grains.  It 
is  often  used  in  combination  with  other  remedies.  It  is  some- 
times used  in  the  form  of  tincture,  which  see. 


458  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

Chamomile  Flowers. — These  are  a  bitter"  tonic.  They  are 
used  for  the  purpose  of  improving  digestion.  They  may  be 
given  mixed  with  chop-feed — as  much  as  a  handful  once  a  day, 

Charcoal. — This  is  an  antiseptic,  that  is,  an  article  that  pre- 
vents putrescence,  or  mortification.  It  is  given  internally 
Avith  other  remedies,  or  alone,  in  diseases  where  mortification 
is  likely  to  take  place.  It  is  often  giv^en  with  yeast.  The  dose 
is  several  ounces.     It  is  added  to  poultices. 

Chloride  of  lime  is  a  powerful  disinfecting  agent,  correcting 
the  most  offensive  smells,  arresting  putrescence  in  stables. 
Harness,  mangers,  etc.,  of  glandered  horses  may  be  effectually 
purified  by  washing  with  a  solution  of  chloride  of  lime.  One 
jDound  of  chloride  of  lime  to  a  bucket  of  water  will  form  a 
wash  of  sufficient  strength.  It  corrects  the  offensiveness  of 
putrid  sores  and  ulcers,  and  disposes  them  to  heal  kindly. 
Chloride  of  lime  is  one  of  the  most  important  remedies  in 
the  treatment  of  windy  colic.  (See  treatment  of  that  disease.) 
It  loses  its  gas  by  the  action  of  the  air,  becoming  wet  or 
moist.  The  best  is  dry  as  flour,  for  external  use.  It  corrects 
offensive  smells  in  ulcers,  to  which  it  is  applied,  and  stops 
infection. 

Chloroform  is  a  clear  liquid,  with  a  peculiar  sweetish  taste 
and  smell,  which  evaporates  veryfast  when  exposed  to  the  air. 
It  is  much  used  in  human  practice,  in  performing  surgical 
operations.  It  is  poured  on  a  sponge  or  folded  handkerchief, 
and  held  close  to  the  nose  until  the  patient  inhales  enough  to 
destroy  the  sense  of  feeling,  which  may  be  known  by  pricking 
the  skin  with  a  pin,  or  pinching  it.  A  little  air  should  be 
allowed  to  pass  into  the  lungs  with  the  chloroform;  hence,  the 
handkerchief  should  not  be  pressed  against  the  nose.  Chloro- 
form may  be  administered  to  the  horse  for  the  same  purpose 
as  it  is  given  to  man.  An  experienced  finger  should  be  on  the 
pulse  while  the  horse  is  breathing,  and  if  the  pulse  should  be 
about  to  stop,  the  chloroform  should  be  removed  from  the  nose, 
and  a  handkerchief  wet  with  aqua  ammonia  held  close  to  it. 


LIST    OF    MEDICIXES.  459 

The  quantity  required  to  get  tlie  horse  under  its  influence  will 
vary  from  one  to  four  ounces. 

I  would  not  recommend  its  use  in  any  but  the  more  import- 
ant operations.  It  may  be  used,  also,  in  cases  of  lock-jaw, 
to  relax  the  spasm  and  get  the  jaws  open  to  administer  other 
medicines. 

■  Cinnamon  is  stimulant,  carminative,  and  antispasmodic,  fre- 
quently given  with  other  medicines  to  improve  their  action 
or  prevent  their  griping.  It  may  be  used  in  powder,  in  doses 
of  one  or  two  drams,  or  in  tincture,  in  doses  of  from  one- 
half  to  one  ounce,  or  more. 

Cloves  are  stimulant,  antispasmodic,  and  carminative.  The 
dose  of  powdered  cloves  is  from  half  an  ounce  to  an  ounce,  to 
be  given  steeped  in  water  or  in  whisky.  Oil  of  cloves  is  a  very 
powerful  stimulant,  and  may  be  used  instead  of  the  powdered 
seeds.  It  may  be  given  mixed  in  mucilage.  Dose  from  twenty 
to  sixty  drops. 

ColcMcum  Seeds. — The  wine  or  the  tincture  of  colchicum 
seeds  are  the  best  forms  for  this  remedy.  It  is  used  in  acute 
rheumatism,  or  founder,  in  doses  of  two  to  four  drams,  and  re- 
peated often  enough  to  keep  the  bowels  free.  To  be  given  with 
other  alterative  cathartics,  as  cream  of  tartar,  May-apple 
root,  sulphur,  Indian  hemp,  etc. 

Copperas. — The  article  generally  known  by  this  name  is  the 
sulphate  of  iron.  It  is  also  improperly  called  green  vitriol.  It 
is  properly  used  in  the  treatment  of  old  sores.  It  enters  into 
the  composition  of  several  valuable  salves.  It  forms  a  very 
valuable  wash  for  old  sores  by  dissolving  two  drams  in  a  pint 
of  water.  This  is  also  good  for  recent  sores.  An  ounce  in 
the  same  quantity  acts  as  a  mild  caustic,  and  may  be  used  to 
destroy  proud-flesh.  The  powder  is  used  for  the  same  purpose. 
It  is  useful  in  cases  of  long-continued  discharge  from  the  nose, 
after  catarrh  or  fever  has  subsided.  To  be  given  in  doses 
of  from  one  to  two  drams,  and  better  given  with  ginger  or 
gentian.     It  has  been    highly  recommended   as  a  cure  for 


460  NAYIX   ox   THE   HORSE. 

glanders,  but  it  is  not  reliable.     It  is  not  to  be  relied  on  alone 
as  a  tonic. 

Corrosive  Suhllmate. — ■This  is  also  called  bichloride  of  mercury. 
It  is  also  a  chemical  combination  of  mercury  and  chlorine.  It 
is  used  internally  as  an  alterative  in  farcy,  in  ten-grain  doses, 
gradually  increased  to  twenty  grains,  and  continued  until  sore- 
ness of  the  mouth  is  produced,  when  its  use  is  to  be  stopped 
for  a  few  days,  and  then  used  again  as  before.  It  is  also  used 
in  the  disease  called  big-head,  as  one  of  the  principal  articles 
in  a  blistering  liniment.  It  is  used  to  kill  lice,  and  in  obsti- 
nate mange,  and  as  a  local  application  in  quitter. 

Crane'' s-hill  is  an  astringent,  and  used  in  scours  in  colts.  Dose 
of  the  strong  infusion  from  one-fourth  to  half  a  pint. 

Cream  of  tartar  is  a  mild,  cooling  diuretic.  It  may  be  given 
with  advantage  in  many  febrile  and  inflammatory  complaints. 
The  dose  is  from  two  to  four  drams,  dissolved  in  water. 

Creosote. — This  is  a  straw-colored  liquid,  with  a  strong, 
smoky  smell.  It  is  tonic  and  antiseptic  in  its  properties.  It 
is  used  both  internally  and  externally  to  prevent  putrefaction, 
or  mortification.  It  corrects  the  smell  of  offensive  sores,  and 
disposes  them  to  take  on  healthy  action,  or  to  heal.  It  may 
be  mixed  with  twice  its  quantity  ©f  oil,  and  applied  to  the  sore 
on  a  piece  of  soft  muslin,  or,  to  remove  very  thick  fungus,  it 
may  be  applied  pure.  Internally  it  may  be  given  in  one-half 
to  one-dram  doses  in  gruel. 

Craivly  root  is  the  most  powerful  diuretic  used.  It  is  given 
in  inflammation  of  the  lungs.  The  dose  is  about  two  to  four 
drams  of  the  powdered  root. 

Croton  Oil. — This  is  an  oil  prepared  from  the  croton-nut.  It 
is  the  most  active  cathartic  known.  It  oj^erates  with  a  great 
deal  of  griping  and  rumbling  in  the  bowels.  It  acts  in  from 
six  to  eight  hours.  It  may  be  used  in  cases  where  it  is 
very  important  to  have  a  physic  act  quick.  The  dose  of 
croton  oil  for  the  horse  is  from  fifteen  to  twenty-fi^^e  drops.  It 
may  be  mixed  with  four  or  six  ounces  of  castoi  or  sweet  oil, 


LIST   OF    MEDICINES.  461 

and  the  whole  put  in  a  pint  of  gruel,  and  given  as  a  drench. 
The  meal  of  the  croton-nut  is  preferred  by  veterinary  sur- 
geons. The  dose  is  from  twenty  to  thirty  grains,  mixed  with 
an  ounce  of  linseed-meal  to  form  a  ball,  using  sufficient  palm- 
oil  to  form  the  ball.  Croton  is  useful  in  severe  cases  of  stran- 
gles, lock-jaw,  dropsy  of  the  chest  or  belly.  It  is  not  near  so 
dangerous  as  many  suppose. 

Ciihehs  is  generally  used  in  powder  or  tincture.  It  is  stimu- 
lant and  diuretic,  and  has  a  good  effect  on  the  kidneys.  It 
is  used  in  treatment  of  diseases  of  the  kidneys  and  de- 
rana-ed  conditions  of  the  water.  The  dose  is  one  ounce  of  the 
tincture ;  of  the  powder,  two  to  four  drams. 

Digitalis. — This  is  a  foreign  plant,  the  tincture  of  the  leaves 
being  used.  It  is  narcotic,  and  produces  a  powerful  sedative 
effect  on  the  heart's  action.  The  mode  in  which  it  influences 
the  heart's  action  is  not  by  regularly  diminishing  the  number 
of  pulsations,  but  at  first,  apparently,  stopping  the  heart's 
action  for  the  time  of  several  beats.  When  this  effect  is  ob- 
served the  disease  will  begin  to  yield,  and  the  digitalis  may 
be  given  afterward  in  only  half  the  dose  before  used.  Digi- 
talis is  also  a  mild  diuretic.  This  remedy  sometimes  acts  very 
singularly,  having  no  effect  until  several  doses  have  been  given, 
and  then  commencing  with  the  same  power  as  if  all  the  doses 
had  just  been  given  in  one  dose.  This  is  called  its  cumulative 
effect.     It  should  be  closely  watched  when  given. 

Elecampane. — The  root  of  this  well-known  plant  is  the  part 
used.  It  is  given  in  powder,  and  is  useful  in  chronic  lung  dis- 
eases. Dose  from  two  drams  to  an  ounce ;  generally  given  in 
compounds. 

Elixir  of  vitriol  is  a  cooling  tonic.  It  also  improves  di- 
gestion. From  its  effect  on  the  human  patient,  I  think  it 
would  be  good  for  the  horse  that  sweats  too  much  or  too  easily. 
It  is  used  in  glanders  and  farcy.  It  may  be  given  in  doses  of 
from  eight  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  drops,  in  a  bucket  of 
water,  once  or  twice  a  day,  or  whenever  he  drinks. 


462  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

Epsom  Salts. — This  medicine  is  too  well  known  to  need  de- 
scrij^tion.  It  is  given  as  a  physic,  in  half-pound  doses,  as  a 
drench.  It  is  sometimes  used  in  the  commencement  of  fevers, 
in  doses  of  six  or  eight  ounces,  and  repeated.  But  it  is  not 
equal  in  such  cases  to  a  dose  of  podophyllin,  and,  should  the 
case  prove  to  be  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  would  be  much 
more  likely  to  do  mischief. 

Extract  of  lead,  or  GoiilarcVs  extract,  is  the  subacetate  of  lead. 
It  is  much  used  in  Europe  for  inflammation  of  the  eyes,  in  the 
early  stage,  in  proportion  of  a  dram  to  a  pint  of  water.  Twice 
as  strong,  it  forms  a  good  application  for  inflammation  not 
deeply  seated,  and  is  good,  mixed  with  poultices,  for  inflamed 
and  painful  parts. 

Galls. — The  gall-nuts  are  parasites  growing  on  the  leaves  of 
some  species  of  the  oak.  They  are  astringent,  and  useful  in 
scours,  overphysicking,  or  wherever  an  astringent  is  required. 
The  dose  is  from  two  to  four  drams  of  powdered  galls,  given 
in  water.  Tannin  is  now  generally  used  in  place  of  galls. 
The  dose  of  tannin  is  twenty  to  forty  grains  in  water. 

Garlic  is  used  in  the  form  of  a  sirup  in  hysteria,  pleurisy, 
cough,  urethral  gleet,  farcy,  indigestion,  and  rheumatism. 
Dose,  from  one  to  two  ounces,  generally  given  in  combination 
with  other  remedies.  It  is  antisj^asmodic,  expectorant,  and 
alterative. 

Gentian. — The  root  of  the  plant  is  the  part  used.  It  is 
found  in  the  solid  form,  or  pulverized,  in  the  drug-stores.  It 
is  the  principal  tonic  used  in  the  treatment  of  the  horse.  It 
improves  the  tone  of  the  stomach.  It  is  generally  given  with 
chamomile,  ginger,  or  carbonate  of  iron.  It  is  used  in  chronic 
debility,  and  also  debility  following  protracted  disease.  The 
dose  is  from- two  to  four  drams,  repeated  daily.  A  strong 
infusion  .of  gentian  is  a  good  application  to  putrid  sores.  The 
tincture  of  gentian  may  be  used  for  the  same  purposes  as  the 
powdered  root.     The  dose  is  from  two  to  four  table-spoonfuls. 


LIST    OF    MEDICINES.  .463 

(xinseng  enters  into  the  prescription  for  lock-jaw.  It  is 
antispasmodic  and  alterative. 

Ginger  is  a  fine  stimulant,  and  seems  to  improve  the  tone  of 
the  stomach,  and  promote  its  digestion.  It  is  much  used  to 
improve  the  action  of  other  remedies,  or  to  prevent  them  from 
griping.  The  powdered  ginger  is  used.  The  dose  is  from  two 
to  four  drams.  The  tincture  of  ginger  may  be  used  in  doses 
of  from  one-half  to  two  ounces. 

Golden- seal,  called  also  yellow  root,  the  botanic  name  being 
hydrastus  canadensis,  is  the  best  tonic  known  for  mucous 
surfaces.  It  has  a  most  extensive  range  of  application.  As 
a  tonic,  it  may  be  given  with  equally  good  eifect  when  inflam- 
mation is  actually  present  and  after  it  has  subsided.  In 
chronic  diseases  of  the  bowels,  indigestion,  and  loss  of  appetite, 
there  can  be  no  superior  to  golden  seal.  It  is  also  useful  in 
diseases  of  the  kidneys  and  bladder  and  chronic  cough.  It  is 
given  in  powder,  in  doses  of  from  one  to  three  drams  twice 
a  day.  Half  a  dram  of  powdered  golden  seal,  mixed  in 
half  a  pint  of  boiling  water,  and  allowed  to  settle,  is  one  of 
the  best  applications  to  sore  or  inflamed  eyes.  Golden  seal, 
with  an  equal  quantity  of  charcoal,  is  an  elegant  remedy  for 
flux,  or  dysentery,  and  scouring,  where  there  is  a  tendency  to 
putrescence.  To  be  given  in  doses  of  two  drams  each,  twice 
a  day. 

Gum-arabic. — This  is  a  white  substance,  found  in  the  shops 
in  the  form  of  hard  grains  or  fine  powder.  It  dissolves  in  cold 
water,  forming  a  mucilage.  It  is  sometimes  used  in  combina- 
tion with  other  medicines  to  make  them  mix  well,  or  to  pre- 
vent their  acting  as  irritants  to  the  coats  of  the  stomach  and 
bowels.  A  mucilage  of  gum-arabic,  formed  by  dissolving  two 
or  three  table-spoonfuls  of  the  pulverized  article  in  a  gallon  of 
water,  forms  a  good  drink  in  cases  of  inflammation  of  the  stom- 
ach, bowels,  lungs,  or  kidneys.  It  has  a  very  soothing  efiect 
in  such  cases. 


464  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

Grum  eu]-)horhiwn  is  a  powerful  irritant,  and  is  used  in  some 
preparations  for  spavin. 

Gum  guiacum  is  a  brittle,  resinous  substance.  It  is  used 
in  the  treatment  of  rheumatism  or  founder.  It  is  combined 
with  other  articles ;  best  used  in  the  form  of  tincture.  Dose 
of  the  tincture,  from  two  to  six  drams,  two  or  three  times  a 
day.  A  lump  the  size  of  a  walnut,  burned  on  a  shovel  of  coals 
under  a  horse's  nose,  in  strangles,  gives  immediate  relief,  and 
effects  a  speedy  cure. 

Hemlock  is  sometimes  used  in  place  of  opium.  The  pow- 
dered bark,  or  extract,  is  used. 

Honey  is  sometimes  used  for  mixing  other  medicines,  as  balls, 
etc.     It  is  a  good  article  in  healing-salves  and  cough  medicines. 

Lidian  hemp  is  nauseant,  (vomiting),  diuretic,  (bringing  off 
urine),  and  cathartic,  (purging).  It  is  used  in  lock-jaw, 
founder,  and  bloody  urine.  The  dose  of  the  powdered  root  is 
from  four  to  six  drams.  Dose  of  the  tincture,  from  two  to 
four  drams. 

Indigo  is  antispasmodic,  and  used  in  veterinary  jDractice,  in 
the  treatment  of  heaves  and  thick-wind,  in  doses  of  one  ounce 
twice  a  day,  in  combination  with  other  medicines. 

Indian  turnij),  powdered,  is  used  in  consumption  in  the  horse, 
in  combination  with  other  remedies,  in  doses  of  from  one  to 
two  drams,  once  or  twice  a  day. 

lodid  of  jpotash  is  found  in  large  crystals  of  a  white  color 
and  alkaline  taste.  It  is  a  superior  alterative,  but  has  not 
been  much  used  by  veterinary  surgeons.  The  dose  is  from 
twenty  to  thirty  grains.     It  acts  on  the  gUxndular  system. 

Iodine  is  a  mineral  "found  in  the  drug-stores  in  the  sha^^e  of 
dark,  glistening  flakes.  It  is  obtained  from  the  sea-weeds.  It 
is  easily  powdered.  It  is  a  very  superior  alterative,  and  has 
been  used  with  satisfactory  results  in  glanders  and  farcy.  The 
dose  of  the  powdered  mineral  is  from  five  to  twenty  grains. 
Its  use  must  be  continued  from  day  to  day,  for  some  time.  A 
tincture  made  by  dissolving  as  much  iodine  as  it  will  take  up 


LIST   OF   MEDICIXES.  465 

in  ninety-six  i)cr  cent,  alcohol,  is  a  good  local  application  to 
glandular  swellings,  and  Avill  reduce  swellings  which  remain 
after  hurts ;  also,  swollen  glands. 

Ipecamianha  is  found  in  the  drug-stores  in  the  shape  of  a 
light-colored  powder.  It  is  a  fine  emetic  (a  vomit)  in  h^man 
practice.  It  is  a  nauseant  (sickening  the  stomach)  to  the 
horse.  It  is  used  in  catarrh,  or  cold,  in  combination  with  other 
nauseants,  in  doses  of  from  two  to  six  drams.  A  horse  can  not 
vomit;  therefore,  nauseating  is  all  that  can  be  done  or  is 
necessary. 

Iron. — There  are  several  preparations  of  iron  which  might 
be  found  serviceable  in  the  diseases  of  the  horse. 
*  The  ?nist,  or  carbonate,  of  iron  is  a  good  tonic,  given  in  doses 
of  from  one  to  four  drams  once  or  twice  a  day.     The  carbonate 
of  iron  may  be  given  in  the  feed. 

T/ie  sulphate  of  iron,  or  copperas,  is  more  powerful  than  the 
carbonate,  for  the  same  purpose.  It  has  been  used  in  the 
treatment  of  that  form  of  glanders  which  is  characterized  by 
only  a  thin  discharge  from  the  nose.  It  is  to  be  given  dis- 
solved in  the  horse's  drink.  It  is  better  to  give  it  with  gentian, 
or  ginger. 

Tincture  of  muriate  of  iron  is  good  for  arresting  hemorrhagej. 
or  bleeding.  It  should  be  given  in  a  pint  of  water,  in  doses  of 
one  or  one  and  a  half  ounces. 

The  x^ersulphate  of  iron  is  better  for  the  same  purpose^ 
given  in  water,  in  doses  of  one  or  two  drams. 

Juniper-berries  are  stimulant  and  diuretic  (affect  the  kid- 
neys). They  are  used  in  powder,  in  thick  urine,  the  follow- 
ing being  a  good  prescription:  Powdered  asafoetida,  one  ounce;, 
powdered  poplar  bark,  eight  ounces;  powdered  juniper-berries,, 
two  ounces;  mix,  divide  in  eight  papers,  and  give  one  each, 
night  and  morning  in  the  feed. 

Kino  is  a  dark,  brittle  gum,  or  extract.  It  is  astringent- 
Used  in  diarrhea  or  scours.     Dose,  from  two  drams  to  an  ounce.. 

Linseed-oil  is  the  oil  pressed  out  of  flax-seed.     It  is  used  in 
30 


466  XAYIN   ox   THE   HORSE. 

the  treatment  of  weak  eyes.  It  is  also  used  to  soften  the  hoof 
in  hoof-bound.  It  is  a  physic  in  doses  of  from  one  to  two  pints, 
but  is  not  very  reliable  as  a  physic. 

Linseed,  or  Flax-seed. — Ground  flax-seed  is  much  used  in 
making  poultices.  For  this  purpose  it  is  boiled  in  enough 
water  to  make  a  stiff  mush.  It  is  the  best  poultice  used  for 
general  purposes.  The  oil-cake,  which  is  much  used  by  horse- 
men for  improving  the  horse's  condition,  is  the  cake  which  re- 
mains after  the  oil  has  been  pressed  out  of  the  ground  seed. 
It  is  used  in  the  quantity  of  one  or  two  ounces  a  day,  in  the 
feed ;  but  the  best  preparation  which  has  ever  been  used  for 
improving  the  condition  of  the  horse  is  one  which  I  have  used 
for  many  years,  and  the  knowledge  of  which  is  worth  double 
the  price  of  this  book  to  any  horseman.  Its  great  superiority 
consists  in  its  perfect  safety  and  invariable  good  effect.  I 
never  knew  of  any  harm  to  result  from  its  use.  Nothing 
brings  a  horse  up  so  quick.  The  following  is  the  preparation 
which  I  have  named : 

Flax-seed  Jelhj. — Take  one  quart  of  flax-seed,  and  put  it  in 
len  quarts  of  water,  in  a  convenient  vessel,  an'd  let  it  stand 
■over  night,  or  about  twelve  hours.  Then  put  it  over  the  fire 
.and  boil  very  slowly,  until  it  is  boiled  down  to  a  thick  jelly, 
which  will  take  about  three  hours.  It  must  be  stirred  con- 
■Stantly  while  boiling,  to  keep  it  from  burning.  To  this  quan- 
tity a  double-handful  of  salt  may  be  added,  to  preserve  it. 
It  will  improve  its  effect,  in  most  cases,  to  add  to  the  above 
quantity  two  ounces  of  ginger  and  the  same  quantity  of  ground 
poplar  bark,  or  that  quantity  of  either.  The  dose  is  one  tea- 
cupfid  three  times  a  day,  to  be  given  with  cut  or  ground  feed. 
After  a  week  or  ten  days  it  may  only  be  given  twice  a  day. 
If  the  horse  should  become  too  costive,  stop  the  use  of  the 
jelly  for  a  few  days,  or  it  might  be  necessary  to  give  a  physic, 
•or,  what  is  better,  a  feed  or  two  of  boiled  barley. 

Lime-water  is  a  good  antacid,  that  is,  it  destroys  the  sour- 


LIST   OF   MEDIC iNES.  467 

ness  of  any  thing  it  is  mixed  with.  It  is  also  astringent,  and 
might  be  given  in  doses  of  from  a  pint  to  a  quart,  in  diarrhea, 
or  scours.  The  following  is  the  formula  for  the  justly  cele- 
brated Carroll  oil,  for  the  cure  of  burns  : 

Take — Lime-water 2  parts. 

Linseed-oil 1  part. 

Mis.  Keep  tlie  burned  part  constantly  covered  with  tlie  oil.  If  possible,  bind 
muslin  cloths,  wet  in  the  oil,  to  the  burn. 

Lohelia  is  a  powerful  nauseant  and  antispasmodic.  It  re- 
laxes the  whole  system,  and  promotes  perspiration.  It  is  used 
by  some  as  a  substitute  for  tartar  emetic,  in  febrile  and  inflam- 
matory diseases.  It  is  useful  in  inflammation  of  the  brain 
and  lungs,  pleurisy,  consumption,  bronchitis,  catarrh,  or  cold, 
chronic  cough,  lock-jaw,  and  founder.  The  dose  is,  of  the 
powdered  herb,  from  two  to  four  drams ;  of  the  tincture  of  the 
leaves,  from  one-half  to  two  ounces.  It  may  be  repeated  as 
often  as  every  eight  or  twelve  hours.  Lobelia  is  one  of  the 
best  antispasmodics,  and  is  certainly  very  valuable  in  lock-jaw. 

Male  fern  is  used  either  in  powder  or  the  oil  of  male  fern. 
It  is  used  as  a  vermifuge.  Dose  of  the  powder,  one  ounce ;  of 
the  oil,  from  one  dram  to  half  an  ounce. 

May-apple  Boot. — This  article  is  used  in  powder.  It  is  ca- 
thartic, nauseant,  and  alterative,  having  a  most  happy  effect 
on  the  liver.  As  a  cathartic,  it  is  slow  in  its  action,  but  may 
be  given  with  aloes  or  other  cathartics,  with  advantage. 
When  a  horse  is  down  in  health,  and  disposed  to  be  costive,  or 
the  dung  is  pale  or  of  an  unnatural  color,  either  of  the  follow- 
ing prescriptions  will  be  found  serviceable: 

Take — Aloes,  powdered 6  drams. 

3Iay-apple  root,  powdered * 2  drams. 

Sulphur 1  dram. 

Mis  in  a  pint  of  boiling  water,  and  give  as  a  drench.  This  operates  mildly 
on  the  bowels      It  may  be  repeated  in  two  or  three  days. 


468  JTAYIX    ON    THE    HOESE. 

Take — Aloes,  powdered 0  drams. 

May-apple  root,  powdered 2  drams. 

Castile-soap 4  drams. 

Mix,  and  to  be  given  the  same  as  the  above. 

The  following  is  a  superior  alterative: 

Take— Sulphur 4  drams. 

May-apple  root,  powdered 2  drams. 

Niter,  powdered 3  drams. 

Mix.    To  be  given  every  two  days  in  a  pint  of  thin  gruel,  or  in  chop-feed. 

In  some  cases  i^odophyllin  may  be  used  with  better  eifect 
than  the  crude  root.     (See  the  article  on  "  Podophyllin.") 

Marsh-mallows  is  a  pleasant  mucilaginous  root,  and,  soaked  in 
cold  water,  or  given  with  other  medicines,  has  a  very  soothing 
effect  on  the  bowels. 

Mercury. — This  mineral,  called,  also,  quicksilver,  is  well 
known.  The  crude  article  is  used  in  the  formula  for  quick 
physic.  One  part  of  mercury,  rubbed  with  three  parts  of  lard 
until  no  globules  of  the  mineral  are  to  be  seen,  forms  mercurial 
ointment.  This  is  useful  rubbed  on  splints,  spavins,  and  other 
swellings,  to  prepare  them  for  blistering  or  firing.  It  may  be 
rubbed  on  freely  once  or  twice  a  day,  but  if  it  should  cause 
salivation,  as  it  sometimes  will,  its  use  must  be  stopped.  A 
weaker  ointment  is  good  as  an  application  to  malanders  and 
salanders.  It  is  also  good  in  mange,  used  with  six  or  eight 
times  its  weight  of  sulphur  ointment.  Calomel  is  a  chemical 
combination  of  chlorine  and  mercury.  It  is  not  as  great  a 
favorite  with  the  veterinary  surgeon  as  with  the  human  doctor. 
It  is  used  in  water  farcy,  jaundice,  and  mange.  The  dose  is 
from  a  scruple  to  a  dram.  It  may  be  repeated  as  often  as 
necessary,  but  its  use  should  be  stopped  as  soon  as  redness  of 
the  gums  is  seen.  If  continued  too  long  it  will  produce  in- 
jurious salivation.  Calomel  is  often  combined  with  other 
cathartics  to  increase  or  hasten  their  purgative  action.  Mac/t 
sulphurate  of  mercury,  called,  also,  Ethio/s  mineral,  given  in 


LIST    OF    MEDICIXES.  469 

doses  of  three  drams  a  day  with  four  drams  of  cream  of  tartar, 
is  a  good  alterative  in  obstinate  surfeit,  or  foulness  of  the  skin. 
To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  water. 

MuriatiG  acid  is  a  very  strong  caustic.  It  enters  into  some 
spavin  remedies.  Muriatic  acid,  four  ounces ;  water,  two 
quarts ;  tincture  of  bloodroot,  six  ounces ;  mix ;  applied  by 
means  of  a  sponge  bound  to  the  part. 

Muriate  of  ammonia  is  a  solid,  white,  crystallized  substance. 
It  dissolves  readily  in  cold  water.  It  is  used  in  forming  the 
cold  lotion,  which  is  made  as  follows.: 

Take — Muriate  of  ammonia 1  ounce. 

Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

Sugar  of  lead 1  ounce. 

Salt 1  pint. 

Cold  "Water 2  gallons. 

Mix, 

Used  in  inflammation  to  cool  the  part  to  which  it  is  applied. 
Muriate  of  ammonia  is  also  used  in  thumps  and  inflammation 
of  the  womb,  applied  over  the  loins. 

Musk  is  a  powerful  antispasmodic,  used  in  lock-jaw.  The 
dose  is  from  three  to  four  grains.     It  is  not  much  used. 

Myrrh. — The  tincture  of  myrrh  is  an  excellent  application 
to  bruises,  saddle-galls,  and  sores  generally.  It  is  made  by 
adding  four  ounces  of  myrrh  to  one  quart  of  alcohol,  and  letting 
it  stand  fourteen  days,  shaking  it  daily,  and  then  filtering. 

Neat's-foot  oil  is  useful  in  several  liniments.  A  very  good 
one  for  the  enlarged  glands,  in  strangles,  or  distemper,  is  the 
following: 

Take — Neat's-foot  oil 8  ounces. 

Tincture  of  camphor 2  ounces. 

Pyroligneous  acid 2  ounces. 

Mix.     To  be  applied  twice  a  day. 

Nitrate  of  silver,  commonly  called  lunar  caustic.  The  use 
made  of  this  article  is  for  cauterizing  old,  indolent  sores,  to 


470  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

make  them  heal.  Take  a  stick  of  caustic,  and  touch  the  sore 
over  with  it  until  a  white  film  appears  over  it.  If  there  is 
fungus,  or  proud-flesh,  press  the  caustic  well  down  in  it  until  it 
is  destroyed.  It  is  well  to  j^oultice  after  using  the  caustic.  It 
is  a  good  remedy  for  lampas.  Pass  the  stick  along  all  the  in- 
flamed bars,  until  they  look  white.  This  is  a  much  milder 
measure  than  burning. 

Nitric  Acid. — rPure  nitric  acid  is  a  clear  liquid,  commonly 
called  aqiia  fortis.  It  is  a  powerful  caustic,  burning  or  eating 
away  the  flesh  to  which  it  is  aj^plied.  It  enters  into  the  com- 
position of  some  very  good  external  applications  for  skin  dis- 
eases.    It  has  a  cleansing  effect  when  thus  used. 

Nux  Vomica. — The  nux  vomica  bean,  or  dog-button,  is  a 
powerful  stimulant  to  the  nerves  of  motion.  It  is  so  powerful 
that  experiments  in  its  use  have  not  been  extensive.  I  have 
been  informed,  by  authority  that  I  regard  reliable,  that  it  is  a 
certain  and  very  quick  remedy  for  colic.  The  bean  is  rasped 
or  scraped  down,  and  the  quantity  that  would  lie  on  a  ten-cent 
coin  given,  mixed  in  water.     This  dose  would  be  perfectly  safe. 

Oil  of  cedar  is  a  popular  article  in  many  liniments.  It 
is  a  good  external  stimulant.  Internally,  it  is  stimulant,  anti- 
spasmodic, and  diuretic.  The  dose  would  be  one  or  two  table- 
spoonfuls. 

Olive  Oil,  or  Sweet  Oil. — This  oil  is  sometimes  given  as  a 
purgative  when  better  ones  are  not  to  be  had.  A  pint  is  given 
for  this  purpose. 

Opium  is  a  well-known  drug,  chiefly  brought  from  Turkey 
and  India.  It  is  more  extensively  used  in  medicine  than  any 
other  article.  It  is  the  Samson  in  the  treatment  of  the  horse. 
It  is  used  mostly  in  tlie  form  of  tincture,  commonly  called 
laudanum.  It  is  narcotic,  antispasmodic,  sedative,  and  strin- 
gent. It  is  only  narcotic  in  very  large  doses.  It  is  j^rinci- 
pally  used  where  an  antispasmodic  and  sedative  are  necessary 
to  relieve  pain  and  cramping,  or  griping.  It  is  not  proper  to 
administer  it  when  a  high  degree  of  fever  is  present,  but  when 


LIST    OF    MEDICINES.  471 

the  fever  is  abating  its  sedative  effect  is  very  beneficial.  It 
is  used  in  the  treatment  of  colic,  scours,  disease  of  kidneys, 
diabetes,  and  lock-jaw.  The  dose  of  the  tincture  is  from  one- 
half  to  one  and  a  half  ounces;  of  the  powdered  opium,  from 
one  to  two  drams.  The  powder  may  be  given  by  mixing  it 
well  with  warm  water.  In  lock-jaw  it  may  be  given  as  an 
injection.  Its  use  will  be  well  understood  by  reference  to  the 
diseases  in  which  it  is  recommended  in  the  body  of  this  work. 
It  is  used  as  an  outward  local  application  in  some  cases. 

Oil  of  spike  is  a  very  popular  remedy  among  horsemen. 
It  is  used  in  splint,  curb,  sweeny,  hoof-bound,  and  spavin.  It 
is  generally  used  in  combination  with  other  articles,  and  rubbed 
on  the  affected  part.     It  is  a  fine  stimulating  application. 

Prussic  Acid. — This  is  a  clear  liquid,  prepared  by  several 
different  chemical  processes.  It  is  the  most  powerful  poison 
known.  It  is  a  sedative,  and  might  be  given  to  a  horse  with 
inflammation  of  the  lungs  in  the  dose  of  twenty  to  forty 
drops  of  the  article  kept  in  drug-stores,  where  other  remedies 
fail  to  reduce  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries. 

Pahn-oil. — This  is  the  best  substance  for  preparing  balls  or 
masses,  as  it  dissolves  easily  in  the  stomach,  and  never  be- 
comes rancid. 

Peppermint  is  a  stimulant  and  carminative.  A  strong  tea 
of  peppermint  may  be  used  freely  in  colic,  and  had  better  be 
relied  on  than  the  mixture  of  milk  and  molasses  so  often 
given.  It  is  not  by  any  means  a  bad  remedy.  A  quart  of  the 
tea  may  be  given. 

Phosphate  of  lime  is  a  good  alterative  for  changing  dull 
action,  and  has  been  recommended  in  button  farcy,  in  dose  of 
half  a  dram.  I  would  suggest  its  use  in  the  disease  known  as 
big-head  in  doses  of  two  to  four  drams  twice  a  day. 

Pleurisy  root  is  expectorant,  bringing  fluid  from  the  throat, 
and  useful  in  cases  of  inflammation  or  irritation  of  the  lungs. 
Dose  of  the  powdered  drug  from  half  to  two  ounces. 

Podophyllin. — This   is    the  medical   principle  of  the   man- 


472  NAYIN   OX   THE   IIOESE. 

drake,  or  May-apple,  root.  It  is  a  brown  powder.  It  has  i\ot 
been  much  used  in  the  treatment  of  the  horse,  but  I  am  sure 
it  will  attain  high  favor  among  horse-doctors.  It  is  a  very 
slow  cathartic ;  but  its  good  effects  commence  very  soon  after 
it  is  given.  It  .acts  principally  on  the  glands,  and  especially 
the  liver.  It  lessens  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  and 
for  this  reason  is  very  valuable  in  all  cases  of  inflammation 
requiring  a  physic. 

The  dose  of  podophyllin  for  the  horse  is  from  thirty  to  forty 
grains.  The  dose  should  be  mixed  with  a  tea-spoonful  of  gin- 
ger, and  then  mixed  with  a  pint  of  gruel,  and  given  as  a 
drench.  Forty-two  grains  of  podophyllin  were  given  to  a  fine 
mare  with  inflammation  of  the  womb,  after  all  other  measures 
had  failed  to  give  any  relief.  In  a  few  hours  the  pulse  began 
to  decrease  and  become  softer,  the  breathing  became  less  dif- 
ficult, and  the  symptoms  generally  improved,  and  by  the  time 
the  medicine  had  quit  acting  on  the  bowels,  all  symptoms  of 
inflammation  had  disappeared.  It  may  be  used  with  equally 
good  effect  in  strangles,  inflammation  of  the  liver,  and  any 
other  inflammatory  disease  where  physic  is  admissible.  On 
account  of  its  slowness  of  action  it  should  be  given  early  in 
the  treatment.  It  is  the  best  remedy  known  where  a  physic 
is  given  as  an  alterative. 

Potash. — There  are  several  chemical  combinations  of  potash 
which  are  useful  in  medicine,  and  some  very  valuable  to  the 
horse-doctor,  which  I  shall  now  consider.  Niter,  saltpeter, 
or  nitrate  of  potash,  are  different  names  for  the  same  article, 
Mter  is  found  in  many  places  ready  formed  by  nature.  It  is 
also  manufactured.  It  is  a  very  important  remedy  in  our 
practice.  It  is  one  of  our  principal  febrifuges.  Its  action  is 
to  cool  the  system,  lessen  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries, 
and  increase  the  flow  of  urine.  It  is  used  in  all  fevers  and 
inflammations,  and  affections  of  the  kidneys.  It  also  forms  a 
cooling  lotion  with  water  for  many  local  inflammations.    The 


LIST   OF   MEDICIXES.  473 

dose  of  niter  is  from  two  to  four  drams  dissolved  in  water.  It 
is  often  given  in  combination  with  digitalis,  sulphur,  etc. 

Po])lar  harJc  is  alterative,  changhig  dull  action  of  parts,  and 
tonic.  There  are  few  articles  more  deservedly  popular  in  the 
treatment  of  the  horse  than  this.  It  may  with  advantage 
enter  into  nearly  every  prescription  given  the  horse  to  im- 
prove the  condition  of  his  system.  It  has  a  very  happy  effect 
on  the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  also  on  the  kidneys.  The  old 
fashion  of  putting  a  poplar  pole  in  the  stall  for  the  horse  to 
gnaw  at  is  a  good  practice,  and  especially  if  the  animal  is  not 
in  good  condition.  Powdered  poplar  bark  may  be  given  in 
the  horse's  feed.  It  has  been  used  with  good  effect  in 
chronic  cough,  thick-wind,  jaundice,  worms,  and  indigestion. 
Dose,  from  one  to  two  ounces,  once  or  twice  a  day. 

Frepared  Chalk. — This  is  a  pure  article  of  chalk.  It  is  ant- 
acid, that  is,  neutralizes  acids,  destroying  their  sourness.  It 
is  used  in  scours,  or  diarrhea,  combined  with  astringents,  as 
catechu.  It  might  be  used  with  benefit  in  colic,  where  no 
other  article  is  handy.  The  dose  is  from  two  to  four  ounces 
in  water.  In  colic  it  should  be  given  with  caraway,  prickly- 
ash,  or  peppermint. 

PricJclij-asli. — The  bark  and  berries  of  the  prickly-ash  both 
possess  medical  properties.  It  is  stimulant,  carminative,  and 
antispasmodic.  It  is  generally  given  in  the  form  of  tinc- 
ture, of  the  seeds  or  berries.  I  have  used  it  with  good  effect 
in  colic,  and  am  sure  it  will  become  a  popular  remedy  in  such 
cases.  Dose  of  the  tincture,  from  two  to  four  ounces,  in  one 
pint  of  water,  and  repeated  as  often  as  every  hour  until  relief 
is  obtained.     Try  it. 

Pyroligneous  Acid. — This  article  is  one  of  the  best  and  safest 
remedies  to  correct  putrescence,  or  to  prevent  its  occurrence. 
It  is  very  useful  in  farcy,  strangles,  malignant  scarlet-fever, 
grease,  lice,  mange,  fistula,  and  poll-evil.  The  dose  is  from 
half   an   ounce   to  an   ounce,  twice   a  day.     In   some  of  the 


474  KAVIN   ox   THE    HOESE. 

maladies   in   which   it  is   useful  it   is   used  as   an  external 
application. 

Bed  Frecijjitate. — This  preparation  of  mercury  is  useful  to 
kill  lice.  Also  used  in  mange.  If  any  thing  would  disturb 
dots  in  the  horse's  stomach,  the  following  would :  Tincture  of 
opium,  one  ounce;  saleratus,  one  ounce;  spirits  of  niter,  one 
ounce ;  ji-ed  precipitate,  five  grains ;  whisky,  one  pint ;  mixed, 
and  given  as  a  drench.  But  those  who  have  read  the  article 
in  this  work  on  "Bots,"  will  not  be  likely  to  ever  use  the 
above  prescription. 

Bosin. — Yellow  rosin,  or  resin,  is  what  remains  after  oil  of 
turpentine  is  distilled  off.  Internally,  it  is  stimulant  and 
diuretic,  and  useful  in  cough,  heaves,  and  thick-wind,  and  in 
diseases  of  the  kidneys.  The  dose  is  from  half  to  one  ounce 
of  powdered  rosin,  given  in  cold  water,  or  mixed  with  the 
feed.  Externally,  it  is  used  in  making  several  ointments. 
Beeswax  is  used  with  it  in  making  plasters  and  salves,  form- 

g  the  body  of  several  of  them. 

Sage  is  a  popular  carminative  in  domestic  horse  practice. 
As  a  wind-expeller,  it  certainly  has  some  merit.  It  is  given 
,  in  tea,  in  doses  of  several  pints.  It  is  an  article  that  does  no 
harm,  at  least,  and  hence  is  superior  to  most  of  those  articles 
thrown  into  the  horse's  stomach  for  bots,  colic,  etc.  But  in 
giving  it,  leave  out  the  milk,  for  it  will  do  harm.  It  is  a  good 
article  to  give  some  other  medicines  in. 

Salts  of  tartar^  or  carhonate  of  jpotasli,  is  antacid  and  diuretic. 
It  is  used  in  inflammation  of  the  womb  and  some  diseases  of 
the  kidneys.  It  is  a  very  good  remedy  to  correct  sourness  in 
the  stomach  or  bowels.     The  dose  is  from  one  to  four  drams. 

Sarsaparilla  is  a  fine  alterative,  though  not  nearly  so  much 
used  in  veterinary  practice  as  in  the  common  practice  of  medi- 
cine. It  is  used  in  farcy,  in  powder,  in  doses  of  from  one  to 
four  drams,  twice  a  day.  It  may  also  be  used  in  infusion. 
Sarsaparilla  is  certainly  a  much'  better  remedy  with  the  horse 
than  is  generally  supposed. 


LIST    OF   MEDICIXES.  475 

V 

Sassafras  is  an  alterative  and  diuretic.  Tlie  oil  of  sassafras 
is  used  in  founder,  in  doses  of  from  one  to  two  ounces,  and  re- 
peated twice  a  day,  if  necessary.  Oil  of  sassafras  enters  into 
the  composition  of  nearly  all  horse  liniments. 

Skunk  cabbage  is  nauseant  and  antispasmodic.  It  is  use- 
ful in  coughs.  The  dose  is  from  one  to  four  drams  of  the 
powdered  root.     To  be  repeated  once  or  twice  a  day. 

SU'])]jery-ehn. — The  powdered  slippery-elm  bark  is  much  used 
for  poultices,  which  are  made  by  mixing  it  in  sufficient  cold  water 
to  make  the  poultice  the  right  thickness.  It  is  used  with  medi- 
cines given  internally,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  bowels. 
It  has  a  very  soothing  effect  when  the  bowels  are  irritated,  and 
the  water  oif  the  bark  may  be  given  with  benefit  when  the 
mucous  coat  of  the  stomach  is  irritated. 

SjMnish  broivn  is  a  well-known  article  in  the  arts.  It  is  used 
in  veterinary  practice  in  heaves  and  thick-wind,  and  as  an 
article  in  a  dupe,  by  those  who  are  foolish  enough  to  give  such 
articles.     It  is  given  in  doses  of  one  or  two  ounces. 

Strychnia  is  a  most  powerful  poison.  It  stimulates  the  spinal 
nerves  to  overaction.  It  is  too  powerful  to  be  tampered  with. 
It  has  been  given  as  a  dupe  in  doses  of  one  grain,  twice  a  da}^, 
in  the  feed.  It  is  powerfully  exhilarating.  The  sulphate  of 
strychnia  is  the  form  it  is  used  in. 

Sulphur  is  found  in  the  stores  in  two  forms,  in  roll  and  flours 
of  sulphur.  It  is  alterative  in  its  action.  It  is  used  in  a  great 
many  different  diseases  and  different  combinations.  It  is  a 
great  promoter  of  condition,  combined  with  niter  and  anti- 
mony. It  is  seldom  given  alone.  It  is  the  principal  article  in 
the  application  for  mange.  It  is  much  used  by  some  in  all 
chronic  affections  of  the  lungs  and  air-passages,  as  heaves, 
thick-wind,  cough,  etc.  The  dose  is  from  one  to  two  ounces. 
It  is  used  in  my  favorite  condition-powder. 

Soda. — There  are  two  preparations  of  soda,  useful  in  treat- 
ing the  horse.  The  first  is  the  well-known  article,  common  salt, 
or  chloride  of  sodium.     This  is  the  only  article  of  medicine 


476  NAVIX   ox   THE    HORSE. 

often  needed  by  the  horse,  even  in  health.  He  should  have  it 
several  times  a  week.  He  can  hardly  have  too  much,  if  it  is 
often  given.  It  is  necessary  to  healthy  digestion.  It  is  ele- 
gant on  the  food  after  severe  illness.  Half  a  dram  of  salt  in 
four  ounces  of  water,  makes  a  good  eye-water.  Strong  salt- 
water is  a  good  wash  for  sore  shoulders  and  back.  A  double- 
handful  of  salt  and  one-fourth  of  a  pound  of  soap,  dissolved 
in  a  gallon  of  water,  form  a  good  cathartic  injection.  When 
a  horse  is  not  eating,  he  may  have  thin  gruel  with  salt  in  it, 
which  he  will  drink  instead  of  water.  It  will  nourish  him  and 
improve  his  appetite. 

Chloride  of  soda  is  a  good  disinfectant,  but  not  so  good  as 
chloride  of  lime.  One  part  of  chloride  of  soda  dissolved  in 
twenty-four  of  water  is  a  fine  application  to  fistula,  poll-evil, 
and  farcy  sores. 

Soap. — Castile-soap  is  sometimes  combined  with  cathartic 
balls,  to  make  them  dissolve  quicker.  It  is  diuretic.  It  is 
properly  used  in  washing  and  cleansing  sores. 

Sugar  of  lead  is  found  in  the  stores,  in  the  form  of  coarse 
crystals.  It  is  white,  and  has  a  sweetish,  astringent,  or  puck- 
ering taste.  It  is  used  as  an  astringent,  in  inflammation  of 
the  eyes,  in  proportion  of  one  or  two  drams  to  a  j)int  of  water. 
It  is  used  in  diabetes  and  inflammation  of  the  womb,  which  see. 

SulpMric  Acid. — Impure  sulphuric  acid  is  much  used  for 
mechanical  purposes,  under  the  name  of  oil  of  vitriol.  This 
is  unfit  for  medical  use.  The  pure  sulphuric  acid  is  of  a  dark 
brown  color.  It  is  a  caustic,  used  externally  in  grease-heel 
and  scratches,  in  the  prescriptions  given  under  those  diseases. 
Internally,  it  is  a  tonic,  improving  the  appetite  and  digestion. 
The  dose  is  from  one  to  two  drams,  in  a  bucket  of  water,  once 
or  twice  a  day. 

Sulphuric  ether  is  a  clear  liquid,  with  a  peculiar  sweetish 
smell,  and  evaporates  very  fiist  when  exposed  to  the  air.  It  is 
a  powerful  antispasmodic  (relieving  pain).  Its  effects  are 
similar  to  chloroform.     It  is  more  frequently  used  internally 


LIST    OF    MEDICIXES.  477 

than  chloroform.  It  is  used  in  lock-jaw,  colic,  and  painful 
spasmodic  diseases  generally.  The  dose  may  vary  from  one- 
half  to  two  ounces. 

Sioeet  spirits  of  niter  is  a  clear  liquid,  possessing  a  pleasant 
smell.  It  is  stimulant,  febrifuge,  and  diuretic.  It  is  one  of 
the  safest  and  best  remedies.  It  is  useful  in  all  febrile  and 
inflammatory  diseases,  and  diseases  of  the  urinary  organs.  It 
is  often  recommended  in  this  Avork.  It  lessens  the  heat  of 
the  system  and  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries.  It  is 
generally  given  with  other  remedies.  The  dose  is  from  two 
drams  to  an  ounce. 

Tartar  Emetic. — This  is  a  preparation  of  antimony,  and  is  a 
heavy,  white  powder.  It  is  one  of  the  principal  remedies  used 
in  the  treatment  of  the  horse.  It  is  a  very  valuable  nauseant, 
and  has  a  good  effect  on  the  skin,  promoting  ])erspiration.  It 
controls,  to  a  great  extent,  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries. 
It  is  used  in  most  cases  of  fever  and  inflammation,  particu- 
larly in  lung-fever,  pleuris}^,  and  other  aifections  resulting  from 
cold.  It  is  generally  given  in  combination  with  niter  and  dig- 
italis, in  a  pint  of  warm  water,  and  repeated  as  often  as  every 
two  hours,  until  the  desired  effect  is  produced.  The  dose  is 
from  one  to  one  and  a  half  drams. 

Tar. — Equal  quantities  of  tar  and  grease  melted  together 
form  the  common  stopping  for  the  feet.  It  is  warm  and  stim- 
ulating, and  useful  to  bruised  or  wounded  feet.  Where  the 
hoof  is  broken,  and  the  inner  soft  part  exposed,  it  prevents 
dirt,  water,  or  air  from  entering.  Tar  should  form  the  basis 
of  applications  for  thrush.  Its  adhesiveness,  or  stickiness,  ren- 
ders it  useful  in  applications  for  mange.  The  oil  of  tar,  mixed 
with  an  equal  quantity  of  fish  oil,  is  a  superior  aj^plication  for 
hard  and  brittle  hoofs ;  to  be  applied  to  both  sole  and  crust 
with  a  brush  every  night,  and  well  rubbed  in.  Tar  is  also  use- 
ful in  chronic  cough.  It  may  be  given  in  two  to  four  drams, 
mixed  with  other  cough  medicines,  or  given  alone. 

Tannin  is  a  very  powerful  astringent.     It  is  used  in  scours. 


478  NAVIN   ON   THE    HORSE. 

The  dose  is  from  twenty  grains  to  one  dram.  It  is  useful  in 
stopping  blood.  Cotton  may  be  rolled  in  the  powder  and 
pressed  into  the  cut  or  wound. 

Turpentine,  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  spirits  of  tur- 
pentine, is  a  well-known  article.  It  is  much  used  in  colic,  gen- 
erally in  combination  with  other  stimulants.  It  is  a  powerful 
antispasmodic,  and  hence  its  use  in  colic.  It  is  also  a  good 
diuretic.  The  dose  is  from  half  an  ounce  to  an  ounce.  It 
forms  a  tincture  with  Spanish  flies,  which  is  a  good  blistering 
liquid.  The  following  is  the  mode  of  preparing  it:  To  a  pint 
of  turpentine  add  an  ounce  and  a  half  of  powdered  flies ;  shake 
well.  It  is  better  to  let  it  stand  twenty-four  hours.  This  is 
rubbed  thoroughly  over  the  part  it  is  desired  to  blister,  with 
the  hand.     It  does  not  blemish. 

Valerian  is  antispasmodic,  and  exerts  a  calming  influence 
over  the  action  of  the  heart.  It  is  used  in  h^^steria  and  lock- 
jaw. The  dose  of  the  powdered  root  is  from  two  to  four  drams; 
of  the  tincture,  from  one  to  two  ounces. 

Venice  turpentine  is  a  stimulant  like  all  other  kinds  of  turpen- 
tine.    It  is  put  on  rowels  to  make  them  get  to  running  quickly. 

Veratrum  Viride. — This  is  the  American  or  green  hellebore. 
The  tincture  has  been  much  used  in  human  practice  for  a  few 
years.  It  lowers  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  and 
nauseates  the  stomach.  There  are  two  tinctures  used — Nor- 
wood's and  the  common  tincture.  I  think  this  article  might 
be  substituted,  in  treating  the  horse,  for  digitalis.  For  the 
horse,  the  dose  of  Norwood's  tincture  of  veratrum  viride  would 
be  about  one  or  one  and  a  half  drams ;  of  the  common,  about 
four  drams  to  an  ounce. 

Verdigris. — This  is  an  acetate  of  copper,  and  called  green 
vitriol.  It  is  used  internally,  as  a  tonic,  in  doses  of  from  two 
to  four  drams,  every  day.  It  is  also  given  in  farcy  the  same 
way.  It  eats  out  proud-flesh  and  stimulates  old  sores  to  heal. 
It  is  applied  in  powder,  either  alone  or  with  an  equal  quantity 
of  sugar  of  lead,  for  this  purpose.    An  article  for  the  cure  of 


LIST    OF   MEDICINES.  479 

cankered  or  ulcerated  sore  mouth,  and  a  good  application  for 
thrush,  called  Egyptiacum,  is  made  by  boiling  verdigris  in  vin 
egar  and  honey.     Verdigris  is  an  uncertain  remedy  internally, 
and  not  at  all  free  from  danger.     It  should  be  used  with  much 
care. 

Vinegar. — Good  vinegar  is  used  in  preparing  some  medi- 
cines, and  may  be  used  with  advantage  in  preparing  many 
preparations  for  coughs  and  other  obstructions  of  the  lungs. 

White  Hellebore. — This  is  a  powerful  nauseant,  and  exerts 
great  power  over  the  action  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  lessen- 
ing the  frequency  of  the  pulse.  Hence,  it  is  very  useful  in 
inflammation,  particularly  of  the  lungs.  It  must  be  given 
with  much  care,  the  pulse  being  closely  observed.  If  its  effect 
is  pushed  too  far,  trembling,  giddiness,  and  purging  follow,  and 
death  may  be  the  result.  The  dose  is  from  one  scruple  to  half 
a  dram.     This  remedy  is  but  little  known  in  this  country. 

WJiite  lead  is  sprinkled  on  red  and  inflamed,  or  swelled  legs, 
where  moisture  is  exuding  through  the  skin.  It  may  be  mixed 
with  poultices  or  paste  for  such  cases. 

White-oaJc  harJc  is  astringent  and  tonic.  A  strong  tea,  or  in- 
fusion, of  it  is  much  used  as  a  wash  for  severe  bruises  or  local 
inflammation.  It  may  be  used  in  diarrhea,  in  infusion,  or  the 
powdered  bark  may  be  used.  It  may  be  used  in  large  doses 
and  repeated  often.  In  applying  it  to  a  wound  or  inflamma- 
tion, the  part  should  be  bathed  very  frequently.  The  inner 
bark  is  to  be  used. 

Wormwood  is  a  very  bitter  plant.  The  stock  and  leaves 
are  boiled  to  a  strong  tea,  or  infusion,  wdiich  is  used  for  the 
purpose  of  reducing  sv/elling  or  inflammation.  The  part  is  to 
be  often  bathed  with  the  infusion,  and  the  boiled  plant  bound 
on  the  part,  if  practicable  to  do  so. 

Worm-seed  is  used  for  destroying  worms,  in  doses  of  two 
ounces,- pulverized,  generally  in  combination  witli  other  reme- 
dies.    The  dose  of  the  oil  of  worm-seed  is  one  ounce. 

Yeast  is   an  antiseptic,   and  useful  in    putrid  diseases,  or 


480  NAVIX    ox    THE    HORSE. 

diseases  about  to  run  into  a  putrid  condition.  It  may  be  given 
in  half-pint  or  pint  doses,  and  repeated  every  six  or  eight 
hours.     It  is  advantageous  to  give  charcoal  with  it. 

YelloiD  dock  is  used,  for  its  alterative  and  tonic  properties,  in 
farcy.  Its  influence  on  skin  eruptions  is  considerable.  It  is 
used  as  a  medicine  by  some  human  physicians  in  the  cure  of 
syphilis. 

Yarroio  is  a  stimulant,  antiseptic,  astringent,  and  antispas- 
modic. It  is  used  by  some  practitioners  in  farcy  and  glanders, 
by  insertion  under  the  skin,  in  connection  with  other  articles, 
for  its  intoxicating  and  antiseptic  properties.  (See  "  Treat- 
ment of  Farcy.")     The  bruised  leaves  are  used. 

Zinc. — The  impure  carbonate  of  zinc  is  called  calamine 
poivder,  and  is  the  principal  article  in  the  calamine  ointment. 
It  is  prepared  as  follows:  Five  parts  of  lard  and  one  of  rosin 
are  melted  together,  and  then  two  parts  of  calamine  powder, 
in  very  fine  powder,  are  stirred  in  as  it  cools.  It  is  a  very 
useful  healing  ointment.  The  calamine  is  useful,  sjorinkled  on 
cracked  heels  and  outside  sores. 

WJiite  vitriol,  or  sulphate  of  zinc,  is  good  for  inflamed  eyes, 
three  grains  being  dissolved  in  an  ounce  of  rain-water ;  to  be 
used  after  the  higher  degree  of  inflammation  has  j^assed  away. 
It  is  the  best  remedy  in  quittor,  as  much  as  the  water  will 
dissolve  being  injected  into  the  sinuses,  or  openings.  A  weak 
solution  of  sulphate  of  zinc  forms  a  good  wash  for  grease  or 
scratches. 


INSTRUMENTS   AND   APPARATUSES.  481 


INSTKUMENTS  AND  APPARATUSES. 

The  most  important  instruments  and  apparatuses  used  in  vet- 
erinary practice  will  now  be  referred  to.  It  is  not  expected 
that  every  owner  of  the  horse  will  have  use  for  all  of  them, 
but  he  should  know  their  use. 

The  twitch  is  a  loop  of  leather,  or  cord,  on  the  end  of  a  stick, 
or  mace,  about  two  feet  in  length.  The  uj^per  lip  is  passed 
through  the  loop,  and  by  twisting  the  stick  the  head  is  held 
securely. 

Hobbles. — There  are  many  forms  of  this  apparatus.  To  hold 
a  horse  for  performing  operations  I  use  the  following : 

A  leather  or  rope  collar  is  passed  around  the  neck.  A  rope 
is  then  tied  to  the  lower  part  of  this  collar,  and  passed  back 
between  the  fore-legs,  and  tied  around  one  of  the  hinder  pas- 
terns; this  rope  is  then  carried  back  through  the  collar,  and 
placed  in  the  hands  of  an  assistant.  Another  rope  is  similarly 
passed  to  the  other  hind-leg,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  an- 
other assistant.  If  the  horse  is  not  to  be  cast,  the  ropes  may 
be  tied  to  the  collar,  when  brought  back,  instead  of  being  pu( 
in  the  hands  of  assistants.  By  this  contrivance  the  horse  is 
eifectually  prevented  from  any  vicious  action.  He  may  also 
be  successfully  cast,  or  thrown,  by  it,  one  person  managing: 
his  head. 

Stocks  are  a  frame,  more  or  less  complicated,  in  which  a^ 
horse  is  secured  and  lifted  off  his  feet.  They  are  too  expens- 
ive for  general  use. 

The  Sling. — This  apparatus  is  used  for  keeping  a  horse's 
weight  off  his  feet.  It  is  used  in  treating  fractures  or  broken 
bones.  It  consists  of  a  broad  girdle  of  leather  or  heavy  canvas, 
to  pass  under  the  belly  and  chest.  In  each  end  of  the  girdle 
is  fastened  a  stout  rod.  Straps  are  also  attached  to  it,  to  pass 
around  the  hips,  and  also  around  the  breast,  to  act  as  breech- 
ing, or  stays.  Loops  are  attached  to  each  of  the  rods,  one  at 
31 


482  NAvm  o:jf  the  hoese. 

each  end  and  one  in  the  middle.  Two  pairs  of  pulleys  are 
necessary,  one  for  operating  on  each  side,  when  slinging  the 
horse.  One  is  fixed  to  a  beam,  or  joist,  and  the  other,  by  its 
hook,  is  attached  to  the  loops  fastened  to  the  rod  at  the  end  of 
the  girdle.  The  rope  is  fastened  to  the  ring  of  the  lower  pul- 
ley, and  then  passed  over  the  upper  one,  and  then  around  the 
lower  one,  and  then  again  over  the  upper,  and  carried  to  a 
convenient  place  to  be  fastened.  Both  pairs  of  pulleys  being 
fixed,  the  horse  can  easily  be  raised  by  drawing  on  the  ropes. 

Knives  used  in  operating  on  the  horse  should  be  of  good 
metal  and  very  sharp.  The  larger-sized  scaljpel  is  a  convenient 
knife  for  most  purposes.  A  heavy  bistoury,  which  is  a  long, 
narrow-bladed  knife,  is  the  best  for  opening  deep  wounds  or 
.abcesscs. 

Lancets. — There  are  three  kinds  in  use,  (they  are  all  used 
■for  bleeding),  the  fleam,  which  is  used  by  most  bleeders,  the 
spring-lancet,  and  the  thumb-lancet. 

Scissors. — The  roiveling  scissors  are  the  most  convenient  for  the 
veterinary  surgeon.  They  have  a  rounded  point,  which  is  the 
'best  instrument  for  raising  the  skin,  in  roweling. 

Needles. — A  large,  curved,  square  needle  is  the  proper  sort 
<of  one  for  the  veterinary  surgeon.  He  should  also  have  one 
>or  two  of  small  size  for  sewing  up  delicate  parts. 

Seton  Needle. — This  instrument  has  a  broad,  slightly  curved 
blade,  of  about  three  inches  in  length,  and  a  round  shaft  about 
eighteen  inches  in  length,  with  a  large,  long  eye  in  it.  It  is 
used  for  introducing  setons. 

Forceps  are  long-jawed  pincers  for  various  purposes.  Some 
are  made  for  extracting  snags,  pieces  of  bone,  etc. — the  artery 
forceps  for  grasping  the  end  of  a  bleeding  artery,  for  the  pur- 
'pose  of  tying  it. 

Brawinrj-kmfe. — The  same  that  the  blacksmith  uses,  and  for 
;the  same  purpose,  to  pare  out  the  hoof. 

Firing-iron. — This  is  a  heavy  piece  of  iron  the  shape  of  a 
irazor-blade,  but  longer,  and  the  edge  blunt,  with  a  long  tongue 


INSTEUMEXTS   AND   APPARATUSES.  483 

to  go  into  a  wooden  handle.  It  is  used  by  some  in  treating 
spavin,  ring-bone,  calluses,  etc. 

Syringes. — These  are  well-known  instruments.  In  giving 
the  horse  injections,  the  largest  sja^inge  should  be  used,  or 
some  of  the  patent  ones,  which  do  not  have  to  be  withdrawn 
during  the  operation.  Smaller  syringes  are  used  for  injecting 
abcesses,  etc. 

Probes. — These  are  made  of  silver.  A  piece  of  wire,  with 
the  end  made  smooth  and  rounded,  makes  a  good  probe. 
The  probe  is  used  for  ascertaining  the  depth  and  direction 
of  wounds,  and  if  any  thing  is  in  them.  They  are  very 
useful. 

Catheters. — These  are  long,  round,  gum-elastic  tubes,  with 
one  end  open  and  rounded  at  the  other  to  a  point,  near  which 
are  two  openings.  They  may  be  used  for  injecting  fluid  into 
deep  ulcers.  Introduce  the  catheter  and  then  the  mouth  of  the 
syringe  into  the  open  end  of  the  catheter,  and  throw  the  liquid 
into  the  wound  through  it.  A  large  catheter  is  used  for  draw- 
ing oif  the  water,  when  the  horse  is  unable  to  pass  it. 

JRoioels. — Cut  a  ring  of  leather  about  an  inch,  or  over,  in  di- 
ameter, leaving  the  rim  of  the  ring  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch 
broad.  Wrap  it  with  flax  or  hemp,  or  thread  will  do.  A  hole 
is  cut  in  the  skin,  and  the  skin  loosened  in  a  long  pocket,  two 
or  three  inches  down.  The  rowel  is  then  moistened  with  Venice 
turpentine  and  passed  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  pocket.  The 
next  day  it  will  commence  running.  It  is  to  be  left  in  until  it 
accomplishes  the  object  or  quits  running. 

Setons. — A  seton  is  a  cord,  or  bundle  of  thread,  drawn 
through  a  portion  of  the  skin  or  flesh,  and  the  ends  being  tied. 
The  seton  is  smeared  with  turpentine.  A  seton  is  introduced 
with  the  seton-needle.  Its  object  is  to  keep  up  a  discharge  of 
matter  and  reduce  inflammation. 

Tents. — Plugs,  or  pledgets,  of  tow,  lint,  or  leather  or  wire 
wrapped  with  tow,  make  good  tents.  They  are  introduced 
into  wounds  or  sores,  to  start  tlieni  to  mattering,  and  to  make 


484  NAVm   ON   THE   HORSE. 

them  heal  from  the  bottom.  The  tent  is  moistened  with  Yenice 
turpentine  before  it  is  introduced. 

Thread. — The  proper  kind  of  thread,  for  sewing  up  wounds, 
is  the  largest-sized  surgeon's  or  saddler's  silk.  It  should  be 
white,  and  waxed  with  beeswax.  A  finer  cord  may  be  used 
for  sewing  up  delicate  structures,  as  intestines,  etc. 

Surgeon's  Knot. — This  is  very  simple,  when  once  understood, 
and  quite  as  useful  as  simple.  It  is  made  by  passing  one  end, 
or  arm,  of  the  thread  twice  around  the  other,  and  then  draw- 
ing the  knot  tight.  No  second  knot  is  necessary,  for  this  knot 
will  hold  in  tying  any  wound  or  bleeding  artery. 

Sutures,  or  stitches,  are  made  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  a 
wound  together.  A  needle,  armed  with  a  thread,  or  cord,  is 
passed  through  the  lips  of  the  wound,  and  the  cord  drawn  suf- 
ficiently through ;  then  a  surgeon's  knot  is  tied  on  the  cord,  by 
which  the  lips  of  the  wound  are  drawn  together.  Both  arms 
of  the  cord  are  then  cut  off  about  three  quarters  of  an  inch 
long.  Sutures  should  be  close  enough  to  bring  the  lips  of  the 
wound  together  all  along. 

Ligatures  are  applied  to  wounded  arteries.  A  cord  is  passed 
round  the  artery  and  tied  in  a  surgeon's  knot  on  it.  A  pair  of 
forceps  are  necessary  to  grasp  the  end  of  the  artery,  to  hold 
it  until  it  is  tied,  or  a  fine,  sharp  hook  may  be  used  to  get 
hold  of  the  end  of  the  bleeding  artery,  and  draw  it  out  to 
be  tied. 

Drenching-hottle. — Different  contrivances  are  used  for  giving 
a  horse  a  drench.  A  quart  wine-bottle  is  at  once  the  most 
easily  obtained,  and  quite  as  good  as  any  other.  The  drench 
is  in  liquid  form,  or  mixed  in  some  liquid,  as  water,  thin  mu- 
cilage, sage  tea,  etc.  The  drenching-bottle  is  filled.  A  bridle 
is  put  on  the  horse,  and  the  reins  thrown  over  a  beam,  or  limb 
of  a  tree,  and  the  head  drawn  up  by  an  assistant  until  the 
nose  is  elevated  above  a  level.  The  operator  then  stands  on  a 
chair,  or  box,  at  the  off  side,  and  takes  the  bottle  in  his  right 
hand,  and  gently  introduces  the  neck  of  the  bottle  into  the 


INSTRUMENTS   AND   APPARATUSES.  485 

mouth  at  the  side,  between  the  nippers  and  grinders,  and  when 
the  neck  of  the  bottle  is  well  back  in  the  mouth,  the  body  of 
the  bottle  is  raised,  and  its  contents  emptied  into  the  back  part 
of  the  cavity  of  the  mouth.  The  horse  may  refuse  to  swallow, 
holding  the  drench  in  his  mouth.  In  this  case  the  bottle  is  to 
be  taken  in  the  left  hand,  and  the  tongue  grasped  around  its 
body  with  the  right  hand,  and  drawn  forward  by  a  twisting 
motion  of  the  hand.  This  compels  him  to  swallow.  A  very 
good  method  of  giving  a  drench  is  to  have  a  horn,  with  the 
small  end  cut  off.  This  is  introduced  into  the  mouth,  as  a 
funnel,  and  held  there,  and  the  drench  turned  into  the  large 
end.  If  the  horse  swallows  well,  this  is  an  elegant  method.  It 
is  free  from  any  danger  of  breaking,  which  requires  such  care 
in  using  the  bottle. 

Injections,  or  Clysters. — These  consist  of  certain  articles 
thrown  into  the  last  bowel,  or  rectum,  to  produce  an  action  on 
the  bowels.  They  are  very  valuable  in  assisting  j^hysic  in 
acting.  They  are  too  much  neglected,  and  especially  in  severe 
diseases,  where  a  speedy  action  on  the  bowels  is  necessary.  A 
very  large  syringe,  or  one  of  the  recent  patent  syringes,  which 
do  not  have  to  be  removed  during  the  operation,  should  be 
used.  The  pipe  should  be  oiled,  and  then  carefully  introduced, 
so  as  not  to  frighten  the  horse.  The  fluid  should  be  thrown 
up  the  bowel  about  blood-warm. 

The  following  are  good  injections :  Two  ounces  of  hard  or 
yellow  soap,  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of  warm  water,  the  whole  to 
be  used  at  once.  A  still  more  active  one :  Epsom  salts,  half 
a  pound,  dissolved  in  a  gallon  of  water ;  or  common  salt 
may  be  used  instead  of  the  epsom  salts.  For  a  still  more 
active  injection,  dissolve  one  ounce  of  aloes  in  ten  quarts 
of  warm  water.  But  this  should  not  be  used  if  much 
physic  has  been  given.  Warm  water  alone  is  a  good  in- 
jection. 

In  cases  of  overpurging,  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  two 
or  three  quarts  of  gruel,  to  which  three  or  four  ounces  of  pre- 


486  NAVm   0^   THE    HOESE. 

pared  chalk  and  a  dram  of  pulverized  opium  should  be  added, 
is  very  soothing. 

When  a  horse  refuses  to  eat  for  too  long  a  time,  gruel  injec- 
tions, of  one  or  two  quarts  at  a  time,  may  be  used  several 
times  a  day. 

Sweating  Apparatus. — The  most  speedy  and  effective  method 
of  sweating  the  horse  is  to  put  on  him  a  light  set  of  harness, 
and  fasten  three  sticks,  about  two  feet  and  a  half  long,  one 
across  at  the  collar,  one  at  the  back-band,  and  one  at  the  hij^s. 
A  wagon-cover,  or  sheets  sewed  together,  is  then  to  be  thrown 
over  the  horse  and  pinned  around  the  neck  close  to  the  head, 
and  down  in  front  and  behind,  so  that  no  air  can  get  in  or  pass 
out.  The  cover  must  come  to  the  ground  all  around  the  horse. 
The  sticks  are  to  hold  it  out  from  lying  close  to  the  body.  A 
cup,  or  deep  saucer,  filled  with  whisky  that  will  burn,  is  then 
introduced  under  the  side  of  the  cover  and  set  on  fire.  Another 
cup  may  be  introduced  under  the  other  side.  A  great  amount 
of  vapor  is  thus  formed,  and  the  most  free  sweating  will  be 
produced,  which  may  be  kept  up  for  half  an  hour  or  an  hour. 
It  may  be  repeated  as  often  as  necessary.  After  using  it,  the 
horse  should  be  rubbed  dry  and  blanketed.  This  whisky  sweat 
is  useful  in  colds,  inflammations,  and  many  chronic  diseases. 
It  reduces  the  pulse,  relieves  internal  congestion,  and  keeps  the 
skin  active.  It  is  particularly  valuable  in  rheumatism  or 
founder,  and  may  be  repeated  every  day. 


MISCELLANEOUS    RECIPES.  487 


MISCELLANEOUS  EECIPES. 

The  following  recipes  are  very  valuable,  and  mAy  be  re- 
lied on  in  all  cases  when  their  use  is  called  for.  Many  of 
them  are  very  convenient,  and  may  be  kept  constantly  on 
hand  for  use.  They  are  superior  to  the  various  patent 
medicines  so  much  recommended  for  the  horse. 

LIQUID  BLISTER. 

Take — Powdered  Spanish  flies 1^  ounce. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  pint. 

Mix  thoroughly  by   shaking.     May  be  used  at  once,  but  better  to  stand 

twenty-four  hours.     To  be  poured  in  the  hand  and  well  rubbed  on  the  part  to 

be  blistered,  until  the  horse  becomes  sensitive  to  its  action.     It  will  blister  in 

fifteen  or  twenty  minutes   under  favorable  circumstances.     I  seldom  use   any 

other  blister. 

QUICK  PHYSIC. 

Take — Croton  oil 20  drops. 

Crude  mercury 5  grains. 

To  be  given  mixed  in  a  pint  of  gruel ;  or  rolled  in  a  ball  of  wheat-dough, 
ind  forced  far  back  in  the  mouth.     To  be  given  in  extreme  cases  only. 

COMMON  PHYSIC. 

Take — Barbadoes  aloes,  powdered 1  ounce. 

Ginger ^  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench. 

Another. 

Take — Linseed-oil 1  pint. 

Powdered  aloes 1  ounce. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  as  a  drench.     Good  in  colic. 

CONDITION  POWDER. 

Take — G  inger 4  ounces. 

Black  antimony 2  ounces. 

Sulphur 2  ounces. 

Saltpeter 2  ounces. 

Rosin 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  three  times  per  day,  in  the  feed. 


488  NAVIN   ON   THE   HOESE. 

Another. 

Take — Bloodroot 2  ounces. 

Yellow-root 2  ounces. 

Black  antimony 1  ounce. 

Saltpeter 2  ounces. 

Mis,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  twice  per  day,  in  the  feed. 

STICKING-PLASTER  FOR  CUTS  IN  THE  HORSE. 

Take — Burgundy  pitch 4  ounces. 

Tallow 2  ounces. 

Melt  the  articles  together  and  spread  on  linen  or  cotton  cloth  while  hot.  Cut 
in  strips  of  proper  length  and  width,  draw  the  wound  together,  warm  the  strips, 
and  apply  them.  It  is  best  to  clip  the  hair  short  where  the  plaster  is  to  be 
applied. 

COUGH  POWDER. 

Take — Tartar  emetic 1  ounce. 

Pulverized  rosin 2  ounces. 

Pulverized  bloodroot >,.  .1  ounce. 

^  Salts  of  tartar 2  ounces. 

Ginger 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  give  one  tea-spoonful  three  times  a  day,  in  the  feed. 

COUGH  DRENCH. 

Take — Sweet  spirits  niter 1  ounce. 

Sulphate  morphia 13  grains. 

Balsam  copaiba 1  ounce. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  at  once.     Repeat,  if  necessary,  in  a  few  days, 

FOR  COLIC. 
Rasp  one  dog-button,  and  give  the  powder  in  a  pint  of  warm  water.     Said 
to  cure.     I  have  never  tried  it. 

HEALING   SALVE. 

Take — Rosin 2  ounces. 

Beeswax 2  ounces. 

Tallow 2  ounces. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Oil  of  spike 1  ounce. 

Gum  camphor h  ounce. 

Melt  all  together  over  a  slow  fire,  and  apply  daily.  Superior  to  any  "  Mui- 
tang  Liniment ^ 


t  MISCELLANEOUS   RECIPES.  489 

OINTMENT  FOR   SWELLING. 

Take — Oil  of  origanum 1  ounce. 

Spirits  of  turpentine 1  ounce. 

Aqua  ammonia 1  ounce. 

Alcohol 2  ounces. 

Mix,  and  apply  twice  a  day,  rubbing  it  well  in. 

TO  KEEP  FLIES  FROM  BLOWING  WOUNDS. 
Make  a  decoction,  or  strong  tea,  of  black  walnut  leaves,  and  wet  the  wound 
and  parts  by  it,  once  or  twice  a  day  with  it. 

Another. 
Fish  oil,  rubbed  about  the  sore  or  wound ;  or  tar,  used  in  the  same  way. 

TO  PREVENT  COLLAR  CHAFING. 
In  the  spring,  when  commencing  work,  or  with  young  horses,  for  about  one 
week,  every  evening,  on  unharnessing,   bathe   the  shoulders  with  alcohol,  one 
part,  and  cold  water,  two   parts.     This  toughens  the  shoulder,  and   prevents 
galling  and  scalding.     If  the  collar  is  not  good,  better  throw  it  away. 

TO  MAKE  A  STAR  ON  THE  FOREHEAD. 
Shave  the  hair  off  the  size  the  star  or  blaze  is  desired,  and  anoint  the  part 
shaved  with  oil  of  vitriol,  using  a  feather  or  camel's-hair  pencil.     After  using 
the  vitriol,  the  place  will  become  quite  sore.     It  may  be  healed  by  washing  it 
occasionally  with  copperas-water. 

TO  PREVENT  CATCHING  DISEASES. 
Asafcetida  is  generally  known  to  have  the  effect  of  protecting  horses  from 
contagious,  or  catching,  diseases.  It  is  always  prudent  to  use  it  when  such 
diseases  are  in  the  neighborhood,  and  it  would  be  well  to  keep  it  on  hand,  and 
use  it  occasionally  at  other  times.  Tie  half  an  ounce  in  a  strong  rag,  and  nail 
it  in  the  trough,  or  manger ;  also,  another  piece  in  the  bottom  of  the  watering- 
bucket.  On  a  journey,  a  bit  of  the  asafcetida  may  be  put  in  a  rag  and  tied  to 
the  bridle-bit.  The  asafcetida,  thus  used,  not  only  prevents  the  horse  from 
taking  disease,  but  improves  his  coat,  his  appetite,  and  his  spirit. 

TO  CLEANSE  OR  PURIFY  INFECTED  STABLES. 
Disinfectants  are  articles  which  destroy  unpleasant  smells,  the  contagious- 
ness of  disease,  or  render  harmless  poisonous  vapors  and  substances.  The 
articles  of  this  class  most  used  are  chloride  of  lime,  chloride  of  soda,  quick 
lime,  charcoal,  sulphur,  and  asafoetida.  Laborack's  solutions  are  much  esteemed 
by  human  doctors.  For  cleansing  stables  in  whigh  horses,  having  glanders, 
farcy,  strangles,  mange,  or  big-head,  have  been  kept,  scrub  all  parts  of  the 
stall,  manger,  rack,  etc.,  and  then  burn  sulphur  so  as  to  fumigate  the  stall  or 


490  NAVIN   ON   THE   HORSE. 

stable  perfectly  ;  then  whitewash  the  entire  stall,  manger,  rack  and  other  parts 
with  a  solution  of  chloride  of  lime.  The  gearing,  halters,  or  bridles  used 
about  the  diseased  horse  should  be  similarly  treated,  or  thrown  away.  Freezing 
will  remove  the  infectiousness  of  most  diseases. 

TO  DRIVE  MAGGOTS  OUT  OF  A  SORE. 
Pour,  a  few  drops  of  spirits  of  turpentine  on  them.     They  will  decamp  in  a 
hurry.     Pyroligneous   acid  will  drive  them  out,  and  prevent  the   fly  from  de- 
positing the  eggs. 

COLD  LOTION  FOR  INFLAMMATION. 

Take — Saltpeter 4  ounces. 

Sugar  of  lead 1  ounce. 

Muriate  of  ammonia 1  ounce. 

Common  salt 1  pint. 

Cold  water .2  gallons. 

Mix,  and  bathe  the  part  affected  often. 

TO  ABATE  SWELLING  CAUSED  BY  HURT. 

Take — Common  wormwood 2  ounces. 

New  England  rum 1  quart. 

Steep  the  wormwood  in  the  liquor,  and  bind  the  herb  on  the  part,  and  keep 
it  wet  with  the  liquor.     Other  spirits  would  answer  in  place  of  rum. 

Another. 
Keep  the  part  constantly  bathed  with  an  ooze  of  white-oak  bark. 

TO  PREVENT  INFLAMMATION  OR  SWELLING  FOLLOWING  A  BRUISE  OR  SPRAIN. 
Keep  the  part  constantly  wet  with  the  following : 

Take — Tincture  of  arnica 1  ounce. 

Cold  water 1  quart. 

Mix. 


TABLES  OF  WEIGHTS  AND  MEASUKES. 

Medicines  are  directed  to  be  given  either  in  a  dry  or  liquid 
form.  They  are  weighed  or  measured  by  the  apothecary,  when 
obtained  of  him.  But  it  is  not  always  that  weights  and  meas- 
ures are  at  hand  when  the  farmer  wishes  to  give  his  horse 
medicine.  There  are*  certain  quantities  which  are  nearly  accu- 
rate, as  equivalents  of  the  common  weights  and  measures  gen- 


WEIGHTS   AND   MEASURES.  491 

erally  used,  as  the  tea-spoonful,  table-spoonful,  wine-glassful, 
tea-cupful,  and  tin-cupful.  These  measures  may  be  used  in  all 
cases,  except  where  very  powerful  medicines  are  used. 

TABLE  OF  APOTHECARY'S  WEIGHTS. 

This  weight  is  used  by  the  apothecary  or  druggist  in  putting  up  medicines 
to  be  given  in  small  quantity. 

20  grains  (marked  (?r.,)  make  1  scruple. 

3  scruples     "        3,  "      1  dram. 

8  drams        "        5j  "      1  ounce. 

12  ounces        "         g,  "      1  pound,  (lb). 

Figures  placed  before,  or  Roman  numerals  placed  after,  the  above  charac- 
ters show  how  much  of  the  weight  represented  by  the  character  is  to  be  used, 
thus :  10  grs.  means  ten  grains ;  2  5  means  two  drams ;  grs.  vi  means  six 
grains  ;  §  ix  means  nine  ounces,  and  so  on.  Of  any  light  powder,  as  pow- 
dered roots,  leaves,  or  bark,  a  grain  is  about  what  would  lie  on  one-fourth  of 
an  inch  of  the  point  of  a  pen-knife  blade;  a  scruple,  about  half  a  level  tea- 
spoonful;  a  dram,  about  one  rounding  tea-spoonful;  an  ownc^, about  two  round- 
ing table-spoonfuls;  a  pound,  a  pint-cupful,  packed.  If  t'_e  article  is  heavy, 
as  salt,  saltpeter,  loaf-sugar,  etc.,  it  will  require  only  from  one-half  to  two- 
thirds  the  above  bulks  to  make  proper  weight.  Some  very  light  articles 
would  require  more  than  the  above  quantities. 

FLUID  MEASURE. 
Used  in  measuring  liquids,  as  water,  tinctures,  liquors,  infusions,  sirups,  etc. 

60  minims  (marked  n\,,)  make  1  dram. 

8  drams  "         5,         "      1  ounce. 

16  ounces  "         g,         "      1  pint. 

8  pints  "         Oct.,     "      1  gallon,  (cong.) 

In  this  measure  the  ounce  and  dram  are  sometimes  written  "fluid-ounce" 
and  "fluid-dram,"  and  an  /  is  sometimes  placed  before  the  character,  thus: 
/g  X  means  ten  fluid  ounces.  A  minim  is  one  drop — of  some  liquids  more, 
of  others  less ;  a  dram  is  about  one  tea-spoonful ;  an  ounce  is  about  two 
table-spoonfuls;  a  pint  is  a  pint  bottle  or  tin-cupful. 

If  medicines  are  very  powerful,  in  which  it  is  necessary  to  be  very  partic- 
ular about  the  size  of  the  dose,  the  weights  and  measures  according  to  the 
above  tables  should  be  used;  in  other  cases,  the  approximate  weights  and 
measures  above  explained,  will  be  sufficiently  accurate. 


DICTIONARY. 


ABDOMEN,  the  belly. 

ABORTION,  foaling  before  the  young  ani- 
mal can  live. 
ABRUPT,  sudden;  rude;  quick. 
ABSCESS,  a  swelling  or  cavity  containing 

matter  or  pus. 
ABSORBENTS,  (see  the  article  in  this  book 

on  "Absorbents.") 
ABSORB,  to  swallow  up. 
ABSORPTION,  soaking,  or  taking  up  by  fine 

vessels  called  absorbents. 
ACCELERATE,  to  make  quicker  or  faster. 
ACID,  sour.    There  are  several  kinds. 
ACUTE,  sharp;  an  acute  disease,  one  quick 

in  its  approach;  violent. 
ADAGE,  an  old  saying  or  proverb. 
ADHESION,  a  sticking  together. 
ADHESIVENESS,    the    property    of    gluey 

substances. 
AERATION,  exposing  to  the  air,  such  as  the 
blood  in  the  lungs,  to  free  it  from  car- 
bon. 
AFFINITY,   nearness  ;    the    quality   which 
causes  the  parts  Of  a  substance  to  keep 
together. 
ALBUMINOUS,  resembling  the  white  of  an 

egg  in  substance. 
ALTERATIVE,  a  medicine  which  generally 

improves  health  mildly. 
AUMENT,  the  food. 
ALIMENTARY  CANAL,  the  bowels. 
ANALOGY,  resemblance;  likeness. 
ANALYSIS,    to     consider    separately    any 
thing  in  parts;   to  separate. 


ANATOMY,  the  description  of  the  different 

parts  of  the  animal  body. 
ANCHYLOSIS,  the  stiffening  of  a  joint  per- 
manently. 
ANTAGONIST,  one  that  opposes  another. 
ANTERIOR,  before ;  the  front  part  ofthebody. 
ANTISPASMODIC,  a  medicine  that  relieves 

spasms  or  cramps. 
ANTISEPTIC,  medicines  which   stop  decay 
or  decomposition.      Septic    poison   is  a 
deadly  poison   in  all  dead  bodies  not 
bled  to  death. 
ANUS,  the  outlet  of  the  bowels  at  the  tail; 

the  fundament. 
APPENDAGE,  an   addition;    an   ornament, 

such  as  the  hair,  etc. 
APPRECIATE,  to  set  a  value  on;  to  under- 
stand the  value  of. 
APPROACH,  to  come  near  to. 
APPROXIMATE,  near  to. 
ARTICULATE,  to  join  end  to  end,  as  bones 

in  a  joint. 
ARTICULATING,  working  hinge-like. 
ASPHYXIA,  death  by  depriving  the  lungs 

of  air. 
ASSIMILATE,  to  make  like. 
ASTRAGALUS,  the  name  of  the  largest  bone 

of  the  hock-joint  below  the  os  calcis. 
ASCEND,  to  climb  or  go  up. 
ASTRINGENT,  a  medicine  that  contracts  or 

puckers. 
ASTRINGENTS,  medicines  which  stop  dis- 
charges, by  contracting  the  parts,  such 
as  blood,  mucus,  etc. 
ATROPHY,  a  wasting  away  of  the  parts. 
AUGMENT,  to  increase. 

(493) 


494 


DICTIONARY. 


AUTHENTICATED,  made  certain. 
AVOCATION,  a  business. 
AZOTE  NITROGEN,   an   element  of  many 
articles  of  food,  especially  of  flesli. 

B 

BALKING,  refusing  to  pull  or  go  forward. 

BASE,  foundation. 

BENEATH,  under  the  lower  part. 

BESTUD,  to  set  thickly;  to  cover  with 
patches  or  spots. 

BEVELING,  cutting  with  a  slope  or  bevel. 

BILIARY,  relating  to  the  bile. 

BOOT,  a  leather  boot  worn  to  prevent  one  foot 
cutting  the  other,  called,  in  Europe,  buffer. 

BOUNDED,  surrounded.  « 

BOUGIE,  an  instrument  to  open  the  urethra, 
or  urinary  passage. 

BREEDING  IN  AND  IN,  putting  a  mare  to 
a  horse  of  the  same  family  or  stock. 

BRIDOON,  an  extra  bridle-bit  used  in  con- 
junction with  another,  each  having  a 
separate  rein. 

C 

CANNON-BONE,  the  shank,  or  bone  below 
the  knee  or  hock. 

CANKER,  the  name  given  a  certain  kind 
of  eating  sores. 

CAPSULAR  LIGAMENTS,  the  ligaments 
surrounding  the  joints. 

CAPSICUM,  Cayenne  pepper;  a  small  red 
pepper. 

CAPILLARIES,  the  little  fine  vessels  con- 
necting the  arteries  and  veins. 

CARMINATIVES,  medicines  that  drive  wind 
out  of  the  stomach  and  bowels. 

CARBON,  the  principal  part  of  wood;  char- 
coal is  impure  carbon;  poisonous  sub- 
stance in  the  blood,  extracted  by  the  ox- 
ygen of  the  air  in  the  lungs;  diamond. 

CARCASS,  the  animal  body. 

vCARTILAGE,  gristle;  a  smooth  white  sub- 
stance covering  the  ends  of  bones  mov- 
ing or  working  on  each  other,  as  in 
joints,  etc. 

CARPED,  gathered  up;  rounded. 

CASTRATE,  to  deprive  of  the  seeds,  or  tes- 
ticles. 


CATHETER,  an  instrument  to  draw  off  the 
water,  urine,  etc. 

CATHARTIC,  medicines  which  move  the 
bowels;  a  physic. 

CAUTERIZE,  to  burn  the  flesh  with  medi- 
cine or  a  hot  iron. 

CAUSTIC,  a  medicine  which  burns  or  de- 
stroys the  flesh,  when  touched  with  it. 

CAVITY,  a  hollow,  low,  or  open  space. 

CELEBRITY,  distinction;  greatness;  fa- 
mousness. 

CELLULAR  TISSUE,  the  tissue  that  joins 
the  skin  to  the  body,  and  unites  the 
parts  or  fibers  of  the  muscles,  and  in 
which  the  fat  is  deposited. 

CHAFF,  a  name  given  to  cut  feed,  hay, 
straw,  etc. 

CHARACTERISTIC,  a  symptom  of  charac- 
ter; a  disposition  of,  or  a  natural  and 
general  instinct. 

CHARACTERIZE,  to  distinguish. 

CHEMICAL,  relating  to  chemistry. 

CHRONIC,  a  lingering  disease,  after  the 
acute  stage. 

CIRCUMFERENCE,  the  distance  around 
any  thing. 

CIRCUMSCRIBED,  marked  around,  limited. 

CLEFT,  a  notch;  a  division;  a  furrow. 

COAGULATE,  to  clot,  or  thicken  like  blood, 
or  become  like  jelly. 

COAGULABLE  LYMPH,  albumen,  which 
see. 

COEXIST,  to  be  or  exist  together. 

COHESION,   sticking  to;  sticking  together. 

COHORT,  a  large  number. 

COMBUSTION,  burning. 

COMPONENT,  entering  into  as  a  part. 

CONCAVE,  a  hollow,  or  cupped  surface;  the 
opposite  of  convex. 

CONCEPTION,  the  act  of  getting  with  young, 
after  service  by  the  male. 

CONDITION,  in  good  plight;  fleshy. 

CONGESTION,  the  clogging  of  the  blood  in 
the  parts,  lungs,  ere. 

CONSTITUTING,  forming;  making  up. 

CONTAGIOUS,  catching;  infectious  diseases 
are  contagious. 

CONT.VCT,  lying  or  coming  together. 


DICTIOXARY. 


49o 


CONTRACTION,  drawing  up;  narrowing. 

CONTRAST,  a  difference  of  color,  shade,  or 
form,  etc. 

CONVEX,  oval,  or  roundl.ng;  the  opposite 
of  concave. 

COPIOUS,  plentiful,  abundant. 

CORONET,  the  upper  part  of  the  hoof,  where 
it  joins  the  skin. 

CORONARY  RING,  (see  description  of  foot, 
page  414.) 

CORROBORATE,  to  agree  in  giving  evi- 
dence, or  proof. 

CRANIUM,  the  skull. 

CREST,  the  back  or  upper  part  of  the  neck. 

CRITERION,  a  rule  to  judge  by. 

CRUST,  the  hoof  is  so  called. 

CULTIVATE  to  improve  the  form,  size,  or 
intellect. 

D 

DEBILITY,  weakness;  feebleness. 

DECREASE,  to  make  less. 

DECOMPOSE,  to  decay;   to  separate  into  its 

component  parts. 
DEDUCE,  to  form  an  idea  or  conclusion. 
DEFECTIVE,  not  perfect. 
DENSE,  close;  solid;  hard. 
DELIRIUM,  craziness;  want  of  sense. 
DETERIORATION,  to  make  less  or  worse. 
DEVELOP,  to  show  muscular  form;  to  bring 

up  to  perfection. 
DIAPHORETICS,    medicines    which    arouse 

sweating. 
DIAPHRAGM,  the  broad  muscle  which  sep- 
arates the  chest  and  belly,  and  assists 

in  the  act  of  breathing. 
DIFFUSE,    to  spread    out;    extend;    drive 

out. 
DIGESTIVE,  relating  to  digestion. 
DILATED,  opened  wide;  gaping  open. 
DILUTI],    to   make    fluid   medicine   thin  or 

weak,  as  with  water,  etc. 
DIMINUTION,  lessening,  or  decreasing. 
DISLOCATION,  putting  out  of  joint. 
DISSENT,  to  differ  from. 
DISTORTED,  crooked  or  deformed;  out- of 

shape. 
DISTENDED,  stretched  out;    forced   out,  or 

swelled. 


DIURETICS,  medicines  which   increase  the 

flow  of  urine. 
DIVERT,  to  turn  aside  from. 
DOCILE,  gentle;  tame;  obedient. 
DOMESTICATION,  taming  or  bringing  from 

a  state  of  nature. 
DOMINION,  control ;  authority ;  power. 
DUCTS,  pipes  or  openings;  canals;  tubes. 
DUODENUM,  the  first  gut  next  the  stomach; 

the  bile  enters  through  it. 

E 

ECONOMY,  saving;  good  management. 

EFFUSION,  the  flowing  out  of  a  fluid. 

ELASTIC,  springy,  as  a  spring  or  India-rub- 
ber. 

ELUDE,  to  escape  observation  ;  to  shun. 

EMBRYO,  the  unborn  animal. 

ENAMEL,  the  hard  covering  of  the  teeth. 

ENSUE,  to  follow. 

EPIDEMIC,  a  disease  affecting  many,  as  if  it 
existed  in  the  air. 

EPIGLOTTIS,  the  covering  of  the  glottis. 

ERECT,  standing  up  straight. 

ERUPTION,  a  breaking  out  on  the  skin  of 
pimples  or  blisters. 

EWE-NECKED,  low-necked,  like  a  shorn 
sheep. 

EXALTED,  dignified;  raised. 

EXANTHEMA,  an  eruption  on  the  skin,  with 
fever. 

EXCRETING,  throwing  out  from  the  body. 

EXCREMENT,  the  dung,  and  urine. 

EXERT,  to  act  diligently,  promptly. 

EXHALE,  throwing,  or  forcing  out,  as  blow- 
ing the  breath. 

EXHAUSTION,  being  tired,  or  worn  out  by 
fatigue. 

EXHILARATE,  to  make  lively,  or  cheerful. 

EXIST,  to  live,  to  be. 

EXPANSION,  increasing  in  size. 

EXPEDITE,  to  hasten. 

EXPEL,  to  throw  out,  or  drive  out. 

EXTERNAL,  on  the  outside. 

EXTENSOR  TENDON,  tendon  that  extends, 
or  stretches  out  the  limbs,  etc. 

EXTERIOR,  the  outside. 

EXTRA VASATE,  to  flow  out  of  the  proper 
vessels. 


496 


DICTIONARY 


EXTREMITY;  the  limbs  are  so  callea. 
EXUDE,  to  soak  out  through. 

P 

FACILITY,  an  ease;  easiness. 

FALLACY,  an  error;  not  true;  deceit. 

FEBRIFUGES,  medicines  which  cool  fevers. 

FEMUR,  the  thigh-bone  proper. 

FIBULA,  the  smallest  of  the  two  bones  above 
the  hock. 

FIBROUS,  composed  of  fibers,  or  fine,  thread- 
like substances. 

FIBROUS  MEMBRANE,  a  membrane  com- 
posed of  fibers. 

FISSURE,  an  opening,  or  crack. 

FLATULENT,  windy;  relating  to  gas,  or 
wind  in  the  stomach,  etc. 

FLEX,  to  bend,  or  gather  up. 

FLUID,  a  liquid;  such  as  water;  air  is  so 
called. 

FLORID,  red,  or  scarlet-like. 

FOMENTATION,  applying  warmth  and 
moisture  by  poultices,  etc. 

FORCEPS,  long,  pointed  pincers,  or  nip- 
pers. 

FRACTURE,  the  breaking  of  a  bone. 

FRICTION,  rubbing. 

FUNCTION,  the  office  or  duty  of  any  thing. 

FUNDAMENT,  the  anus,  or  last  end  of  the 
guts. 

G 

GANGRENE,  mortification. 
GENERATIVE,  concerned  in  producing,  or 

begetting,  or  breeding. 
GENERATE,  to  produce;  to  beget  offspring, 

or  young. 
GENITAL,  belonging  to  the  organs  of  breed- 
ing or  generation. 
GLAND,  a  soft  body,  with   a  tube  leading 

from  it,  which  secretes  fluid. 
GRANULATE,  to  form  new  flesli,  or  matter, 

which    has    the    appearance    of    small 

grains. 
GROOVE,  a  channel,  or  gutter. 
GROUP,  a  collection,  or  several  together. 
GULLET,  the  esophagus   or  passage   to  the 

stomach. 


HABIT,  custom,  or  practice. 
HAGGARD,  worn  down;  ghastly;  deathlike. 
HAUNCH,  the  bony  region  of  the  hips. 
HECTIC,  constitutional  fever,  produced   by 

ulcers  or  sores,  etc. 
HEREDITARY,  bred  in  the  offspring  from 

the  parents,  as  disease,  color,  etc. 
HUE,  a  color. 

HUMERUS,  the  upper  arm-bone. 
HYSTERICS,  a  nervous  disease  of  females. 


IMAGINATION,  what  the  mind  dictates,  or 
suggests. 

IMPEDIMENT,  a^  obstruction;  hinderance; 
fault;  an  eye-sore. 

IMPEDE,  to  hinder. 

IMPERCEPTIBLE,  not  noticeable. 

IMPLICIT,  a  perfect  faith. 

IMPRESSION,  an  idea,  or  conclusion;  o 
mark. 

IMPULSE,  a  disposition. 

IMPURITY,  unfitness  for  use;  adulterated 

INADEQUATE,  not  sufficient. 

INNATE,  inherent  in  itself. 

INCISOR;  the  front  or  cutting  teeth  are  called 
incisors. 

INCISION,  a  clean  cut. 

INCULCATED,  taught;  instructed. 

INDURATED,  hardened. 

INFECTION,  the  poison  which  causes  the 
same  disease  by  coming  in  contact  with 
a  healthy  animal ;  inoculation. 

INFERIOR,  the  under  side;  a  bad  quality. 

INOCULATION,  producing  the  same  dis- 
ease by  virus  of  one  animal  getting  to 
a  sore  on  another,  or  in  any  way  get- 
ting into  the  blood. 

INSERTION,  when  any  thing  is  put  into 
another  by  cutting,  etc. 

INSTINCT,  brute  sense;  void  of  reason. 

INTERNALLY,  inwardly;  medicines  given 
by  the  mouth  are  said  to  be  given  in- 
ternally. 

INTENSITY,  in  an  extreme  degree. 

INTERVALS,  space  of  time,  as  between 
spasms  or  fits. 


DICTIONARY. 


497 


INTESTINES,  the  bowels;  the  guts. 

INTERFERING,  cutting  oae  foot  with  an- 
other in  passing  it. 

INJECT,  to  throw  into;  also  to  cause  dis- 
ease by  injection. 

INVERT,  to  turn  round,  or  upside  down. 

INVIGORATING,  strengthening. 


JETS  OR  SPURTS,  a  name  given  to  the 
bleeding  of  arteries. 

JUGULAR,  the  large  neck  vein.  (See  "An- 
atomy.'") 


LACERATE,  to  tear;   to  drag  asunder. 

LAMELLA,  small  plates.  (See  "Anatomy 
of  the  Foot.") 

LANGUOR,  weakness;  faintness. 

LATERAL,  to  the  one  side. 

LENS,  a  part  of  the  eye. 

LEVER,  any  thing  stiff  used  to  raise 
weights  at  one  end,  with  a  force  ap- 
plied to  the  other. 

LIGAMENTS,  strong  bands  about  the  joints. 

LOCAL,  near;  in  a  certain  place. 

LUBRICATE,  to  moisten;  to  oil,  such  as  the 
joints  are  by  the  joint-oil. 

LUCRATIVE,  profitable. 

LUNAR,  relating  to  the  moon. 

LYMPHATIC,  vessels  containing  lymph. 
(See  article  on  the  "  Lymphatics.") 

M 

MACERATE,  to  soak  in  fluid,  such  as  wa- 
ter, etc.,  before  dissecting. 

MALADY;  a  disease  or  ailment  is  so  called, 

MALFORMATION,  an  unnatural  shape  of 
structure. 

MALIGNANT,  severe;  low;  dangerous. 

MASTICATE,  to  chew;  the  act  of  chewing. 

MATERIA  MEDICA,  medical  materials. 

MATERIALLY,  importantly;  that  which 
concerns. 

MATURE,  full  grown;  ripe. 

MEDIUM,  midway;  middle-sized;  the  cen- 
ter of  the  whole. 

MEDULLARY,  the  marrow  of  the  bone 

32 


MEMBRANE,  a  thin  covering;  one  covers 
the  brain,  others  the  bones  and  differ- 
ent organs. 

MENTAL,  relating  to  the  mind. 

MIASMA,  poison  in  the  air,  causing  disease. 

MIGRATORY,  changing  from  place  to  place. 

MODERN,  new;  of  late  date. 

MORAL,  discreet;  just  and  peaceably  minded. 

MORBID,  unhealthy;  there  are  morbid  sores, 
secretions,  etc. 

MORTIFICATION,  the  death  of  any  part  of 
the  animal  diseased  by  sore  or  wound, 
called  gangrene. 

MUCILAGE,  a  jelly-like  fluid. 

MUCUS,  the  secretion  of  the  nose,  and  all 
mucus  surfaces  of  the  animal, 

MUSCLES,  the  fleshy  portion  of  the  animal. 

MYSTERIOUS,  hard  to  understand. 

N 

NAUSEATE,  to  sicken  the  stomach. 

NAUSEANTS,  medicines  that  nauseate. 

NARCOTICS,  medicines  which  stupefy  or 
cause  sleep. 

NERVOUS,  relating  to  the  nerves;  weak- 
nerved  animals  are  called  nervous. 

NEUTRALIZE,  to  destroy  the  force  or  effect. 

NITRATE  OF  SILVER,  lunar  caustic. 

NUTRITIVE;  strong,  healthy  food  is  sc- 
called. 


OBEDIENCE,  submission ;  tameness. 

OBLIQUE,  slanting;  crooked. 

OBVIATE,  remedied;  avoided. 

OBVIOUS,  clear;  plain;  certain. 

OPTIC,  relating  to  the  eye  or  sight. 

OPPROBRIUM,  reproach. 

ORGANIC,  composed  of  organs. 

ORGANISM,  the  living  body. 

ORGANIZED,  composed  of  organs;  complete:. 

ORIGIN,  the  first  existence,  or  beginning. 

OSSIFICATION,  turning  into  bone. 

OS,  the  technical  name  of  bone. 

OS  CALSIS,  the  tip  of  the  hock. 

OVAL,  round;  egg-shaped. 

OXYDATION,  converting  into  air  (oxyd);-. 
the  process  performed  on  the  blood  in 
the  lungs  by  contact  with  the  Bir. 


498 


DICTIONARY. 


OXYGEN,  the  element  in  the  air  which  prin- 
cipally sustains  life. 


PALATE,  the  upper  part  or  roof  of  the 
mouth. 

PALATABLE,  pleasant  to  the  taste. 

PANCREAS,  the  sweet-bread. 

PERCEPTIBLE,  that  may  be  seen  or  known. 

PERFORATED,  full  of  small  holes. 

PERIOSTEUM,  the  membraneous  covering 
of  the  bones. 

PERMANENTLY,  continuing  a  long  time ; 
in  a  fixed  state  or  place. 

PERPENDICULAR,   straight  up  and  down. 

PERPETUATE,  to  continue. 

PERVERT,  to  change,  or  turn  from  its  for- 
mer uses. 

PERNICIOUS,  evil;  bad. 

PHARYNX,  the  opening  into  the  gullet  or 
passage  to  the  stomach. 

^PHENOMENON,  an  unusual  appearance. 

•PHYSICAL,  ability  or  strength  of  the  natu- 
ral body. 

7PLACENTA,  the  membrane  covering  the  foal 
La  the  womb. 

•PLANTAR,  belonging  to  the  feet. 

.PLETHORA,  full  of  blood;  a  full  habit. 

iPLEURA,  the  serous  membrane  that  lines 
the  chest  and  contents  and  reflects  on 
the  same,  lubricating  or  oiling  them 
with  its  secretions. 

POSTERIOR,  the  hinder  end. 

■PREDISPOSE,  to  fit  for;  to  give  an  inclina- 
tion to. 

PREGNANCY,  the  act  of  being  with  young. 

.-PREVALENT,  existing  plentifully;  often 
occurring. 

iPROCESS,  long  spikes  or  points  of  bones. 

iPROFUSE,  plentiful ;  of  great  abundance. 

PROGENY,  the  offspring  of  any  ancestors. 
PROMINENCE,  an  elevation  of  a  part. 

.PROPAGATE,  to  plant;  to  produce  offspring. 

PROTRACTED,  continued  a  long  time. 
PULMONARY,  belonging  to  the  lungs. 
PULSE,  the  beat  of  the  arteries. 

iPUxMICED,  the  falling  down  of  the  coffin- 
bone  on  the  sole.  Caused  by  inflamma- 
tion. 


PUNCTURE,  to  make  a  hole  with  a  pointed 

instrument. 
PUPIL,  the  apple  or  ball  of  the  eye. 
PUTREFACTION,    corruption;     rottenness; 

decomposition,  etc. 

Q 

QUITTOR,  an  ulcer  inside  the  foot,  of  the 
character  of  fistula. 

R 

RADIUS,  the  large  bone  of  the  lower  arm 

above  the  knee. 
RADIATED,  like  the  rays  of  the  sun. 
RANCID,  a  rank,  strong,  sour  smell. 
RECENT,  lately;  not  long  since. 
RECOGNIZE,   to  know   a  former  acquaint- 
ance. 
RECTUM,  the  last  gut. 
REPRODUCTION,  the  act  of  breeding. 
RESPIRATION,  the  act  of  breathing. 
RESPONSE,  an  answer  to  a  query  or  re- 
quirement. 
RETENTION,  stoppage  or  holding;  the  urine 

is  so  held. 

S 
SALIVARY,  the  glands  that  throw  out  the 

saliva  or  spittle. 
SALIVATE,  to  cause  an  increased  flow  of 

saliva  or  spittle. 
SALIVA,  a  spittle. 
SAPHENA  MAJOR  and  MINOR,  veins  of 

the  hind-leg. 
SCALLOPED,  hollowed  out;  the  edges  of  a 

circle  cut  in  segments. 
SCAPHOID,  shaped  like  a  boat. 
SEAR,  to  burn  with  a  hot  iron  (cautery), 
SECRETION,    hiding;    throwing    off  fluid, 

joint-oil,  spittle,  etc. 
SEMICIRCLE,  a  half  circle. 
SENSITIVE,  having  feeling;  also  wit. 
SENSITIVE  LAMELLA,  tho  lamella)  of  the 

coffin-bone. 
SENSIBILITIES,  feelings    of     impressions, 

hurts,  or  shocks,  etc. 
SEPTIC,  poison  in  dead  bodies.     Called  virus 

in  the  living. 
SINUSES,  small  holes  containing  matter  or 

pus. 


DICTIOXARY. 


499 


SKEPTICAL,  doubtful;  not  believing. 

SLOUGHING,  rotting  or  mattering  away. 

SOCKET,  a  depression  or  hole  for  an  organ 
to  work  in. 

SPASMODIC,  relating  to  cramps,  fits  and 
spasms. 

SPECIOUS,  pleasant  to  the  view. 

SPECIES,  the  same  class  of  animals,  plants, 
etc. 

SPONTANEOUS,  a  plentiful  growth;  not 
planted. 

STRANGURY,  stopping;  choking  any  pas- 
sage; holding  tight. 

STRICTURE,  stoppage,  or  tightening  of  any 
of  the  passages  of  the  body  by  morbid 
or  spasmodic  action. 

STRUCTURE,  the  formation  of  any  thing. 

STUPOR, dullness;  sleepiness;  senselessness. 

STERNUM,  the  breast-bone. 

STYPTICS,  articles  in  medicine  which  stop 
bleeding. 

SUBSEQUENT,  since  a  certain  period  of 
time. 

SUBSIDE,  to  sink ;  go  down  quick ;  quit 
swelling. 

SUBTILE,  crafty  ;  tricky. 

SUPERFICIAL,  the  upper  or  outside  view. 

SUPERIORITY,  exceeding  another  in  any 
way. 

SUPPURATION,  mattering. 

SUSCEPTIBLE,  easily  influenced;  capable 
of  receiving. 

SUSTENANCE,  food;  support;  keeping. 

SUTURES,  stitches;  fastenings;  joinings. 

SYMMETRY,  well  built ;  stout;  well  pro- 
portioned. 

SYMPATHY,  affection ;  a  nervous  connec- 
tion between  different  parts  of  the  same 
body. 

T 

TEMPORARY,  only  for  a  time. 

TENDON,  the  small  end  of  a  muscle  near  a 
joint;  the  back  sinews  of  the  leg,  etc. 

TENT,  a  plug  tent  or  pledget. 

TESTICLES,  the  stones  of  the  stallion. 

THORAX,  the  chest. 

TIBIA,  a  bone  of  tlie  hind-leg  above  the 
Iiook:   liii-ih-bone. 


TONICS,  medicines  that  add  strength  and 

vigor. 
TRANSMITTED,  passed  from  one  to  another, 

as  from  parent  to  offspring. 
TRANSPARENT,  clear;    that  can  be   seen 

through. 
TRAPEZIUM,  one  of  the  bones  of  the  knee. 
TREAD,  to  tramp  on;  the  part  of  the  hoof 

that  rests  on  the  ground. 
TUBERCLE,  a  small  tumor ;  a  forerunner  of 

consumption. 
TUMEFACTION,   a   puffy   swelling  of  any 

part. 
TUMOR,  a  swelling  or  enlargement. 
TURBINATED,  having   a   round   crown  or 

top. 
TURRET,  a   tower;  the   rings  of  a  barnesa 

through  which  the  lines  pass. 

XJ 

ULCERS,  running  sores. 

ULNA,  a  bone  of  the  arm. 

ULTERIOR,  beyond  any  line  or  division ;  a 

last  result. 
UNCIFORM,  shaped  like  a  finger-nail. 
URETER,  the  tube  conveying  the  water  from 

the  kidneys  to  the  bladder. 
UTERUS,  the  womb. 

V 
VACANTLY,  thoughtlessly;  foolishly. 
VASCULAR,  highly  organized,  or  furnished 

with  blood-vessels. 
VENTILATE,  to  supply  with  pure  air. 
VERMIFUGES,     medicines     that      destroy 

worms. 
VILLI,  small,  fine  fibers,  like  hairs. 
VIRUS,  poisonous  ;   contagious,  or  infecting 

matter. 
VISION,  the  sight ;  the  art  of  seeing. 
VITAL,  having  or  containing  life. 
VIVIFYING,  bringing  to  life. 

W 

WITHERS,  the  high  process  of  the  vertebras 
between  the  neck  and  the  back. 


ZOOLOGIST,    one    who    examines    and   de- 
scribes animals. 


li^DEX. 


PAGE 

Acetic  acid 451 

Affections  of  the  feet 173 

Affections  of  the  teeth... 264 

Age,  the '. 431 

Alcohol 451 

Aloes 452 

Alteratives 450 

Alum 452 

Amaurosis,  or  gutta  serena 147 

American  breeds  of  horses 302 

Ammonia 453 

Anasarca,  or  dropsy 165 

Antiseptics 450 

Antispasmodics 449 

Aorta,  the  great 391 

Apoplexy 128 

Aqua  ammonia 453 

Arabian  horse 294 

Arnica 454 

Arsenic 454 

Arteries 391 

Asafoetida 453 

Astringents 448 

Author's  Address 7 

Bad  to  be  mounted 281 

Balking,  backing,  and  gibbing 282 

Balmony 455 

Balm  of  Gilead 455 

Balsam  of  copaiba 455 

Balsam  of  fir 455 

Barb  horse 293 

Bars  not  to  be  cut  away 277 

Bayberry 455 

Beef's  gall 455 

Big-head 168 


PAOK 

Biting 280 

Bladder 387 

Black  sulphurate  of  antimony 455 

Bleeding 250 

Bleeding  from  the  nose 112 

Blindness 149 

Blisters  on  the  tongue 104 

Blood,  circulation  of. 398 

Blood-vessels,  the 890 

Bloodroot 455 

Bloody  urine 123 

Bog  and  blood  spavin 202 

Bones  of  the  chest 350 

Bones  of  the  ear 362 

Bones  of  the  fore  extremities,  or  arms 352 

Bones  of  the  lower  hind  extremities 358 

Bones  of  the  head 346 

Bones  of  the  horse 343 

Bones  of  the  haunch  and  pelvis 351 

Bones  of  the  knee 355 

Bones  of  the  leg 356 

Boneset 456 

Bones  of  the  spine,  or  vertebrre 349 

Bone  of  the  tongue 362 

Bone  spavin 218 

Bots 89 

Brain  and  nerves 404 

Breathing 12 

Breeding 308 

Bronchitis 27 

Broken  knee 246 

Bruise  of  the  sole 182 

Burgundy  pitch 466 

Calkins,  or  corks 272 

Camphor 456 

(601) 


502 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Canadian  liorso 303 

Cantharides  (Spanish  flies) 456 

Capped  hough 206 

Capillaries 391 

Caraway  seeds 456 

Carotid  (common)  artery 392 

Carotid  artery,  right  and  left 392 

Carminatives 449 

Canker  of  the  foot 195 

Castor 457 

Castor-oil 457 

Castration 259 

Catarrhal  fever — influenza 47 

Cataract 146 

Cathartics 447 

Catechu 457 

Caustics 450 

Caustic  potash , 457 

Cayenne  pepper 457 

Chamomile  flowers 458 

Charcoal 458 

Chloroform 458 

Chloride  of  lime 458 

Cinnamon 459 

Circulation  of  the  blood 398 

Cloves 459 

Copperas 459 

Colchicum  seeds 459 

Cold,  or  catarrh 49 

Collar-gall 225 

Color 412 

Common  cough 108 

Common  potash 457 

Common  inflammation  of   the  eye — oph- 
thalmia junctava 140 

Concussion  of  the  brain 249 

Connestoga  horse 305 

Construction  of  stables 332 

Contraction,  or  hoof-bound 173 

Consumption 112 

Concave-seated  shoe 2G0 

Concave  of  the  shoe 270 

Contused  wounds 240 

Corns 182 

Gostiveness 101 

Gostiveness  in  colts 101 

Corrosive  sublimate 400 

Cracked  heels 159 


PAOI 

Cramp,  or  spasm  of  the  muscles 138 

Crane's-bill 460 

Crawly  root 460 

Cream  of  tartar 460 

Creosote 4G0 

Cribbing,  or  crib-biting ;...287 

Croton  oil 460 

Cubebs 461 

Curb 204 

Cutting,  or  interfering 286 

Cutting  the  inside  of  the  crust 278 

Delirium 14 

Diaphoretics 448 

Diarrhea 98 

Digitalis 461 

Diseases  of  the  digestive  organs 76 

Diseases  of  the  eye 140 

Diseases  of  the  breathing  organs 108 

Diseases  of  the  urinary  organs 119 

Dislocation  of  joints 234 

Dislocation  of  the  hip 236 

Dislocation  of  the  neck 235 

Dislocation  of  the  fetlock-joint 237 

Dislocation  of  the  shoulder 235 

Dislocation  of  the  stifle-joint 237 

Diuretics 448 

Docking 257 

Dongola  horse 293 

Double  shoe,  for  diseased  feet 267 

Driving  the  nails 273 

Dropsy  of  tlie  chest 115 

Drooping  of  the  bead 13 

Drying  up  of  the  perspiration 14 

Dung 12 

Ears 12 

Elecampane 461 

Elixir  of  vitriol 461 

English  horse 297 

English  thorough-bred 306 

Enlargement  of  the  hough 207 

Epilepsy,  or  fits 130 

Epsom  salts 462 

Expectorants 450 

Extract  of  lead,  Goulard's  extract 462 

Eyes 12 

Falling  ofi"  of  the  hair 151 

Falling  of  the  yard 125 

False  quarter 178 


INDEX. 


503 


Farcy 67 

Farmer's  horse 301 

Feet 12 

Feed  and  feeding 325 

Fever 41 

Fitting  the  shoe 276 

Fistula,  or  fistulous  withers 208 

Flatulent  colic 78 

Flanks 13 

Flemish  and  Danish  horse 306 

Foaling 262 

Founder 28 

Foul  sheath 124 

Foot,  the 414 

Foot,  internal 424 

Fractures 261 

Frog,  not  to  be  cut  away 277 

Frog,  sensitive 430 

Fullering  of  the  shoe 274 

Galls 462 

Garlic 462 

General  fevers — all  contagious 41 

Gentian 462 

Ginseng 463 

Ginger 463 

Glanders 54 

Glands  and  pores  of  the  skin 408 

Golden  seal 463 

Grubs  beneath  the  skin 163 

Groggincss,  or  knuckling 234 

Gum-arabic 463 

Gum  guiacum 464 

Gum  euphorbium 464 

Gunshot  wounds 245 

Hackney 300 

Hair 12  and  410 

Heavy  draught 301 

Heaves,  or  bfoken  wind 115 

Hemlock 464 

Hide-bound 159 

History  of  the  horse 290 

Hooks,  or  inflammation  of  the  haw 142 

Hoof,  development  of 421 

Honey 464 

Hunter 300 

Hysterics 131 

Indigestion 76 

Incised  wounds 239 


PAoa 

Indian  hemp 464 

Indigo 464 

Indian  turnip 464 

Inflammatory  diseases 14 

Inflammation  of  the  bowels 32 

Inflammation  of  the  bladder 89 

Inflammation  of  the  brain — mad  staggers.  14 

Inflammation  of  the  kidneys 37 

Inflammation  of  the  tongue 18 

Inflammation  of  the  liver 37 

Inflammation  of  the  peritoneum 35 

Inflammation  of  the  womb 40 

Instruments  and  apparatuses 481 

Intestines 381 

Internal  foot 424 

lodid  of  potash 464 

Iodine 464 

Ipecacuanha 465 

Iron 465 

Iron,  sulphate  of 465 

Iron,  persulphate  of. 465 

Iron,  tincture  of,  muriate  of 465 

Jaundice  102 

Juniper  berries 465 

Kidneys 385 

Kino 465 

Knotting  of  the  bowels 85 

Lacerated  wounds 241 

Lampas 1" 

Lamellae,  the  sensitive 427 

Ligaments 373 

Lime-water 466 

Linseed,  or  flax-seed 466 

Linseed-oil 465 

Linseed,  or  flax-seed,  jelly 466 

List  of  medicines 451 

Liver 384 

Lobelia 467 

Lock-jaw — tetanus 133 

Lung  fever — pneumonia 18 

Lying  down 13 

Lymphatics 400 

Lymphatitis l*^^ 

Mange '3 

Male  fern 467 

Malignant  scarlet  fever 48 

Marsh-mallows 468 

May-apple  root 467 


804 


INDEX. 


Malanders  and  salanders 155 

Medicines 447 

Membrane  of  the  nose 11 

Megrims — vertigo 126 

Melanosis 198 

Miscellaneous  recipes 487 

Mercury 468 

Meteorization 86 

Morgan  horse 303 

Mouth 12 

Muriatic  acid 469 

Muriate  of  ammonia 469 

Muscles,  the 362 

Muscles  of  the  body,  or  trunk 367 

Muscles  of  the  head  and  neck ,....364 

Musk 469 

Myrrh 469 

Nails  of  the  shoe 273 

Narcotics 449 

Nasal  gleet 109 

Narraganset  pacer 305 

Nauseants 449 

Neat's-foot  oil 469 

Nerving 257 

Nervous  diseases 126 

Nicking 250 

Nitrate  of  silver 469 

Nitric  acid 470 

Norman  horse 305 

Not  lying  down 286 

Number  of  nails  necessary 274 

Nux  vomica,  dog-button 470 

Olive,  or  sweet  oil 470 

Oil  of  cedar 470 

Oil  of  spike 471 

Operations 250 

Opium 470 

Ophthalmia 140 

Organs  of  digestion 376 

Organs  of  reproduction 388 

Other  Asiatic  and  European  horses 296 

Overreach 287 

Palm-oil 471 

Palsy 136 

Pancreas 385 

Paring  the  crust 275 

Paring  the  sole 275 

Pawing 285 


PAoa 

Penetrating  wounds 243 

Peppermint 471 

Peritoneum 383 

Persian  horse 295 

Phosphate  of  lime 471 

Pleurisy  root 471 

Plieurisy 25 

Pleuro-pneumonia 26 

Podophyllin 471 

Poll-evil 214 

Pointing  the  fore-foot 14 

Pointing  with  the  nose 13 

Poplar  bark 473 

Posterior  artery 393 

Potash 472 

Poultry  lousiness 152 

Preparation  of  food 329 

Preparation  for  a  race 339 

Prepared  chalk 473 

Prickly-ash 473 

Profuse  staling 122 

Prussic  acid 471 

Pumiced  foot 190 

Punctured  wounds 241 

Putrid  fever  46 Pulse  393 

Pyroligueous  acid 473 

Quidding 286 

Quitter 187 

Raising 317 

Rat's  tail .152 

Removing  old  shoes 276 

Renal  artery 393 

Respiratory,  or  breathing,  organs 401 

Red  precipitate 474 

Restiveness 279 

Relaxants 449 

Refrigerants 450 

Ring-bone 179 

Roaring 117 

Rolling 285 

Rosin 474 

Rules  for  breeding 309 

Running  away 284 

Rupture  of  the  suspensory  ligaments 233 

Saddle-gall  225 

Sage 474 

Salts  of  tartar  or  carbonate  of  potash 474 

Sand-crack,  or  split-hoof .....176 


INDEX. 


505 


PAOF. 

Sarsaparilla 474 

Sassafras 475 

Scours  in  colta 99 

Scratches,  or  grease 155 

Seating  of  the  shoe 270 

Sedatives 449 

Sensitive  lamellae 427 

Sensitive  frog , 430 

Sensitive  sole 429 

Shying 283 

Shoulder-blade 353 

Shoeing 266 

Simple  scarlet  fever 42 

Signs  of  disease 11 

Sitfasts 200 

Skeleton  of  the  horse 171 

Skin 12  and  407 

Skin  diseases 151 

Skin,  twitching  of 14 

Skunk  cabbage 475 

Slavering 104 

Slipping  the  halter 284 

Slippery-elm 475 

Snaffling 323 

Soap 476 

Soda 475 

Soda,  chloride  of 47G 

Spanish  brown 474 

Spasmodic  colic 82 

Spleen 385 

Splint 21G 

Stable  operations 335 

Standing  still 13 

Staggering 14 

Stiffness 14 

Stimulants 449 

Stinging  of  insects 162 

Stomach  staggers 87 

Stone  in  the  bowels 87 

Straddling 14 

Strain  of  the  fetlock 230 

Strain  of  the  back  sinews 231 

Strain  of  the  coffin-joint 197 

Strangles 50 

Strains,  or  sprains 226 

Strain  of  the  inside  muscle  of  the  shoul- 
der  227 

Strain  of  the  stifle-joint 229 


PAOB 

Stringhalt 139 

Stumbling 284 

Strychnia 476 

Sugar  of  lead 476 

Sulphuric  acid 476 

Sulphur 476 

Suppression  and  retention  of  the  urine.. ..119 

Sulphuric  ether 476 

Surfeit  153 

Surgical  diseases  and  injuries 172 

Swelling  of  the  legs — stocking 164 

Sweeny 226 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 477 

Tannin 477 

Tar 477 

Tartar  emetic 477 

The  pulse 11 

Thick  water 122 

Thorough-bred  horse 297 

Thorough-pin 203 

Thrush  in  the  foot 193 

Thrush  in  the  mouth 105 

Thumps 118 

Tibial  artery,  anterior 319 

Tonics 449 

Training,  or  breaking 320 

Turkish  horse 296 

Turpentine 478 

Tumors 198 

Turkoman  horse 296 

Typhus  fever 45 

Urethral  gleet 124 

Valerian »,.475 

Vein,  common  iliac 397 

Vein,  femoral 397 

Vein,  great  saphenous 397 

Vein,  external  iliac 397 

Vein,  internal  iliac 397 

Vein,  tibial  posterior 397 

Veins  of  the  fore-limbs 395 

Veins  of  the  head  and  neck 395 

Veins,  jugular 395 

Veins 394 

Vena  cava,  anterior 396 

Vena  cava,  posterior 397 

Vena  cava,  posterior,  branches  of 396 

Venice  turpentine 478 

Veratrum  viride 478 


506 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Verdigris 478 

Vermifuges 450 

Vesicants 450 

Vices  of  the  horse 289 

Vicious  to  clean 280 

View  of  the  inside  of  the  foot 190 

Vicious  to  shoe 281 

Vinegar 479 

Warts 199 

"Water 13 

Weaving 285 

Weight  of  the  shoe 272 

White  hellebore 479 

White  lead 479 


PAoa 

White-oak  bark 479 

White  vitriol 480 

Width  of  the  web  of  the  shoe 271 

Wind-galls 200 

Worms 105 

Worm-seed 479 

Wormwood 479 

Wounds 238 

Wounds  of  arteries 245 

Wound  of  the  coronet — tread 186 

Yarrow 480 

Yeast 479 

Yellow  dock 480 

Zinc 480 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAOK 

View  of  the  Horse,  showing  outward  diseases 342 

The  Skeleton , 171 

The  Stomach  and  Bowels 375 

View  of  the  inside  of  the  Hoof 190 

Concave-seated  Horse-shoe 266 

Double  Shoe  for  diseased  feet 267 

The  Foot — half  the  hoof  cut  oif,  showing  the  Lamellae  on  the  cofiBn-bone 417 

The  Foot  turned  up,  showing  the  crust,  or  wall,  frog,  bars  and  sole 419 

The  Mouth  at  six  weeks 432 

The  Teeth,  from  seven  to  nine  days  old 432 

"         at  nine  months  old,  and  up  to  two  years 435,  436 

"         at  three  years  old 438 

*'         at  four  years  old 44O 

*'         at  five  years  old 440 

**         at  six  years  old 441 

"         at  seven  years  old 442 

at  eight  years  old 442 

f  at  nine  years  old 448 


A.  C.  Roach.  J-  P-  Tuistletitwaite. 

ROACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

PUBLISHERS   OF 

First-Class  Subsription  Books! 

INDIANAPOLIS,     INDIANA. 


Several  years  of  successful  operations  in  the  Subscription  Book  Business,  warrants 
us  in  saying  to  the  public,  and  book  agents,  or  canvassers,  particularly,  that  we  know 
just  what  class  of  books  are  best  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  people,  consequently  the 
most  saleable  and  best  for  agents.  We  believe  the  works  wo  are  now  issuing,  are  hav- 
ing, in  localities  where  our  agents  are  canvassing,  a  larger  sale  than  any  other  books 
published.  We  want  good,  active,  intelligent  men,  in  each  county  in  the  Union,  to  act 
as  agents  for  our  publications.  To  experienced  canvassers  we  will  give  cxlra  induce- 
ments. We  are  no  moveable  concern,  but  permanently  located  in  this  city,  and  shall, 
from  time  to  time,  issue  such  works  as,  in  our  judgment,  the  wants  of  the  public  de- 
mand, and  shall  employ  only,  as  far  as  we  are  able  to  discriminate,  men  of  industry 
and  integrity  to  sell  them.  The  too  common  idea  that  canvassing  is  but  a  small  busi- 
ness is  clearly  erroneous,  for  it  will  profitably  employ  the  talents,  and  compensate  the 
efforts  of  men  whose  time  is  worth  from  $1,000  to  $1,500  per  year.  Some  of  our  best 
agents  average  from  eight  to  ten  dollars  per  day,  above  all  expenses,  for  months  to- 
gether. 

Both  agents  and  the  public  can  rely  on  the  fact  that  our  publicati>ns  art  not  for 
sale4n  the  Booh  Stores,  and  can  be  obtained  only  of  the  agent  when  he  calls. 

Parties  desiring  to  correspond  with  us  in  reference  to  the  business,  will  please  en- 
close a  stamp,  and  receive  by  return  mail  descriptive  circulars  of  books,  terma  to 
agents,  and  full  particulars  concerning  the  business. 
Address : 

ROACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

Publishers,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


N  i^  V  I  IT  '  s 

VETERINARY   PRACTICE, 

OR 

EXPLANATORY  HOESE  DOCTOR. 

Written  in  Plain  and  Common  Language,  for  the  Use  of  the  Farmer, 

Breeder,  or  Owner  of  the  Horse,  to  enable  him  to  Treat 

Correctly  and  Successfully,  all  the  Diseases  to 

which  the  Horse  is  Liable. 


COPIOUSEY  ILLUSTEATED  BY  CUTS  AND  ENGRAVINGS. 


BY  JOHN  NICHOLSON  NAVIN. 

VETEEINARY  SURGEON. 


The  Reasons  why  every  Horse  Owner  should  have  the  Explanatory  Horse  Doctorate: 

1st.     Because  with  it  the  life  or  limb  of  a  valuable  animal  may  be  saved, 

2(1.  Because  any  man  who  reads  can  consult  it  at  any  moment,  and  apply  or  ad- 
minister the  best  remedies  without  delay. 

3d.  With  this  book  time  can  be  saved,  as  without  it,  the  horse  may  die  with  some 
acute  disease  before  a  doctor  could  be  brought  from  some  distant  town  or  city. 

4th.  Because  every  horse  owner  can  afford  to  buy  it,  and  cannot  afford  to  be 
without  it,  as  the  loss  of  the  use  of  a  team  for  one  day  would  be  more  than  the  cost  of 
the  book,  and  it  has  already  saved  many  men  forty  times  its  cost  in  a  single  case. 

5th.  It  costs  nothing  to  consult  the  work,  and  get  the  very  best  advice,  while  it 
will  probably  cost  twice  the  price  of  the  book,  each  call,  to  procure  the  services  of  a 
Veterinary  Surgeon,  who  may  be  unskillful,  with  little  or  no  experience. 

6th.  Because  the  horse,  (like  man,)  is  subject  to  disease,  and  the  services  of  a 
horse  doctor  cannot  be  procured  in  many  localities,  only  at  too  great  a  loss  of  time 
and  expense. 

7th.  All  will  concede  that  all  diseases  of  the  horse  should  be  treated  at  the  earli- 
est possible  moment,  hence  the  necessity  of  a  reliable  work,  that  can  be  consulted 
without  delay. 

8th.    It  teaches  you  how  to  select,  or  purchase,  the  most  hardy,  kind  and  durable 
horse  for  service,  breeding,  &c. 

9th.     It  teaches  how  to  tell  the  age  of  the  horse,  so  that  a  boy  twelve  years  old  may 
not  be  deceived. 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  ASERIESOF  BEAUTIFUL  CUTSOFTHETEETHASTHEY  APPEAR  AT  DIFFERENT  AGES. 
10.     It  is  the  only  work  on  the  subject  adapted  to  the  understanding  of  the  public 
in  general. 

Sold  only  by  subscription,  through  our  duly  appointed  agents,  at  $3.60  in  cloth 
binding,  and  at  $4.25  in  library  binding. 

EXTRA  INDUCEMENTS  OFFERED  TO  GOOD  AGENTS 
Address,  for  full  particulars, 

ROACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

Publishers,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


IF  YOU  WANT  TO  KNOW  A  LITTLE  OF  EVERYTHING 

Relating  to  the  Human  System,  Physiology,  Air,  Diet,  Marriage,  &c^ 
Bead  Enlarged  and  Revised  Edition  of 

MEDICAL  COMMOK  SENSE, 

A  Curious  Book  for  Curious  People,  and  a  Good  Book  for  Every  One. 


For  a  brief  summary  of  contents,  read  the  following : 

PART  I  —Diseases.— Their  Causes,  Prevention  and  Cure— CTommon  Sense  Reme- 
dies—The Curability  of  Chronic  Diseases,  and  their  Successful  Treatment.  _ 

PART  II  — Markiage  and  Sexual  Philosophy.— Introduction— Marriage  as  it  is 
in  Barbarism  and  Civilization- Marriage  in  the  Old  World,  Marriage  in  the  New 

*^^In  this  chapter  the  curious  marriage  customs  of  all  countries  are  given :  Plurality 
of  Husbands;  Plurality  of  Wives;  Italian  Wives  and  their  Lovers;  Free  Love;  Mor- 
monism ;  Polygamy,  etc. 

PHILOSOPHY  OF  SEXUAL  INTERCOURSE. 

The  whole  matter  plainly  explained.     A  novel  and  interesting  chapter. 

MENTAL  AND  PHYSICAL  ADAPTATION  IN  MARRIAGE. 

How  to  attain  it.     Something  interesting  to  young  folks. 

THREE  PHASES  OF  MARRIAGE  DAGUERREOTYPED. 

Mental  Marriages;  Physical  Marriages;  Lucifer  Matches.     An  amusing  and  m- 

Btractive  chapter. 

PHILOSOPHY  OF  ELOPEMENTS. 
How  wives  are  induced  to  run  away.     A  very  singular  but  instructive  chapter. 

INTERMARRIAGE  OF  RELATIVES. 
The  effect  of  such  unions.     This  chapter  shows  how  to  produce  a  world  full  ot 
smart  people,  or  a  world  full  of  fools. 

ESSAYS  FOR  MARRIED  PEOPLE  ONLY. 
Sexual  Excess  and  its  Effects;  the  Prevention  of  Conception;  Sexual  Indiferencc 
-Causes  and  Cure;  Phylosophy  of  Child-Marking-tho  Key  to  the  Mystery;  wl^ 
^spr  ng  Resembles'  both  Parents  ;  why  Offspring  Resemble  but  on  Parent ;  why  Off- 
spring often  look  like  Good  Neighbors;  why  Widows  often  havo  Children  by  the  Sec- 
ond Husband  Resembling  the  First ;  how  Objects  or  Frights  Deform  or  Mark  the  Child , 

""''m  Sfng  Xttris  full  of  startling  matter,  which  all  married  people  should 

''essays  FOR  YOUNG  AND  OLD,  BEARING  ON  HAPPINESS  IN  MARRIAGE 
Early  Marriage;  Business  Avocations  should  be  open  to  Females ;  Ladies  should 

'^  llTk 'ng'Sther?he"m^^^^^^^^^^  volume  ever  issued  from  the  Press,  for  it  is 

written  in  language  that  everybody  can  understand;  three  parts  in  one  volume;  400 
pages,  100  illustrations. 

Sent  by  mail,  postage  paid,  to  every  one  sending  an  order  accompanied  by  the  cash. 

PRICE,      #  «.0  O  . 

Ageuta  wanted.    Address;  ROACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE. 

Indianapolis,  Ind. 


THE  MOST  VALUABLE  BOOK  OF  THE  YEAR. 


H  I  ^  T  O  R,  TT 

OF  THE 

XXXIXth  Congress  of  the  United  States, 

BV  W.  H.  BARNES,  A.  M. 


A  Volume  of  about  Six  Hundred  Royal  Octavo  Pages,  containing  an  accurate  his- 
tory of  all  the  great  acts  of  the  most  important  Congress  that  has  ever  assembled — a  bi- 
ographical sketch  of  all  the  Members  of  the  Thirty-Ninth  Congress,  with  signicant  and 
characteristic  passages  fron  their  Speeches — in  all  the  great  political  measures  of  this 
Congress,  showing  their  introduction,  and  successive  amendments,  votes,  vetoes,  and 
final  passage,  step  by  step,  in  a  full,  complete  and  connected  form.  Making  the  Book 
at  once  practical,  convenient  and  accurate,  written  in  a  clear  and  concise  style,  forming 
an  appropriate  sequel  to  the  History  of  the  Rebellion.  This  book  should  be  read  by 
Every  Voter  who  wishes  to  keep  up  with  the  times,  and  form  a  correct  estimate  of 
public  men.  It  is  an  indispensible  manual  to  the  Statesman  and  Politician,  since  it 
gives  them  in  compact  form,  convenient  for  reference,  all  the  important  facts  relating 
to  the  great  National  questions  of  the  day,  such  as  the  Restoration  of  the  States,  Suff- 
rage, Finance,  the  Ereedmen,  etc.,  which  are  presented,  not  simply  as  viewed  from  a 
partisan  stand-point,  but  as  their  distinguished  champions  or  opponents  themselves 
regard  them.  Thus  giving  the  opinion  of  the  political  leaders  of  all  parties  ou  those 
measures  which  are  of  so  great  importance  for  the  present  and  future  welfare  of  this 
country.  The  book  will  be  printed  on  super  white  calendered  paper,  and  bound  in  tho 
best  manner  in  English  Muslin  or  Library  Sheep,  and  sold  only  by  the  publisher's 
authorized  agents,  each  of  whom  holds  a  certificate  of  agency. 

Price  in  Mnslin,  ^3.50.    Price  in  Library,  $4.00. 

ROACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

Publishers,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


"W  E  Xj  Xj  S  ' 

EVERY  MAN  HIS  OWN  LAWYER, 

IT-oi^^l^JE      BOOBC. 

A  Complete  Guide  in  all  Matters  of  Law  and  Business  Negotiations. 
JS@°FOR  EVERY  STATE  IN  THE  UNION."^a 

With  full  instructions  for  proceeding  without  legal  assistance  in  all  business 
transactions  where  the  advice  of  an  attorney  is  usually  required. 

J5^°  12mo,  650  pages,  handsomely  bound,  price  $2.00.     Liberal  inducements  given 
to  good  agents.    Address  all  orders  to 

ROACH  &  THISTLETIIW.UTE, 

Indianapolis,  Indiana. 


lOoOOO  SOLD  IN  ONE  YEAR ! ! 


A  RARE  AEIB  VAI^nABIflK  BOOK. 


OR 

THE    SECRET    OUT. 

An  Exposure  of  the  Tricks  and  Deceptions  of  Gamblers  and  Blacklegs  •with  Cards  and 
Dice.     Also  a  Complete  system  of  Fortune  Telling  by  Cards,  and  the 

BOOK  OF  WONDERS,  OR  SECRETS  REVEALED. 

An  entirely  new  Book,  with  the  above  title,  has  just  been  published,  handsomely 
printed  and  bound. 

It  exposes  all  the  Secrets  of  Gambling,  and  "  shows  up  "  the  tricks  of  Professionals 
with  Cards,  giving  a  complete  expose  of  Telegraphing,  Sauter  La  Coupe,  Longs  and 
Shorts,  Reflectors,  Convex  and  Concave  Cards,  Slipping,  Saddling  and  Handling  the 
Cards,  Walking  the  Pegs,  &c.,  &c. 

Also  an  explanation  of  Marked  and  Pricked  Cards,  Cheating  with  Dice,  &c. 

FORTUNE  TELLING  BY  CARDS. 

The  most  complete  system  ever  published.  Those  who  believe  in  Fortune-Telling 
will  find  this  a  reliable  medium  in  which  to  read  the  future,  and  to  all  it  will  be  a 
Bource  of  much  amusement. 

THE  BOOK  OF  WONDERS. 

A  Collection  op  Secrets,  Arts,  &c..  Never  before  published,  and  of  great  value 
to  every  one.  It  contains  the  prescription  and  directions  for  causing  Moustaches  and 
Whiskers  to  grow  on  the  smoothest  face  in  from  42  to  90  days,  without  injury  or  stain 
to  the  skin.     This  is  alone  worth  ten  times  the  price  of  the  book. 

The  above  is  only  a  part  of  the  contents  of  this  valuable  book.  Every  one  who 
wants  to  KNOW  all  the  above,  and  a  large  number  of  other  great  secrets,  should  read 
"  HOW  'TIS  DONE,"  or  "  Tue  Secret  Out."  Any  one  not  satisfied  with  it,  can  have 
their  money  refunded. 

Price  only  25  cents,  or  6  copies  for  Sl.OO,  post  paid.  Agents  wanted.  Great  in- 
ducements.    Send  for  a  sample  copy.     All  orders  must  be  addressed  to 

EOACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

Indianapolis,  Indinno. 


ORSE  TAMING! 

BY   A   NEW   METHOD. 

A  new  and  improved  edition,  containing  Mr.  J.  S.  Raret's  Whole  Secret  of  Sub- 
duing and  Breaking  vicious  Hourses,  together  with  his  Improved  Plan  of  Managing 
Young  Colts,  and  Breaking  them  to  the  Saddle,  the  Harness,  and  the  Sulky,  with  ten 
Engravings  illustrating  the  process — a  handsome  book  of  04  pages.  Every  man  that 
owns  a  horse  should  have  it.     Price  only  25  cents. 

EOACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

Indianapolis,  Indiana. 


Off 

THE  JOLLY  HOOSIER! 

A  Comic  Monthly  Paper  for  Everybody,  Large  and  Small. 

THE  CHEAPEST  PAPER  PUBLISHED. 

ONLY  FIFTY  CENTS  A  YEAR!! 

It  is  the   Wittiest,  Phunniest,   Racyiest  and  Crazyiest  little  craft 

published.     Be  sm^e  and  get  it,  for  it  will  make 

you  haw-haw  right  out. 


TO  OLTJES   OIF   TBCIE^EIE   J^1<TJD  O'VEK. 

Wo  offer  the  the  following  unheard  of 

GMtE^\.T     P»K,E]VriTJJVIS  r 

For  Three  Subscribers  and  $1.50,  one  copy  of  the  Illustrated  Silent  Friend,  regular 
retail  price  $1.00. 

For  Six  Subscribers  and  $3.00,  one  copy  of  Dr.  E.  B.  Foote's  enlarged  and  revised 
edition  of  Medical  Common  Sense,  a  handsome  bound  book  of  about  400  pages,  beauti- 
fully illustrated,  price  $2.00. 

For  Twelve  Subscribers  and  $G.00,  one  volume  of  "Indiana's  Roll  of  Honor,"  650 
pages,  ten  steel  engravings,  morocco  binding,  pi'ice  $5.00. 

For  Twenty-Fire  Subscribers  and  $12.50,  both  volumes  of  "  Indiana's  Roll  of 
Honor,"  1300  pages  and  20  steel  engravings,  price  $10.00. 

For  Fifty  Subscribers  and  $25.00,  one  handsome  Hunting  Cased  Silver  Watch, 
valued  at  $22.50. 

We  hope  our  friends  will  interest  themselves  in  getting  up  clubs.  The  liberal  pre- 
miums we  offer  will  pay  any  one  to  spend  a  few  hours  in  doing  so. 

Recollect  you  get  nearly  the  worth  of  your  money  in  goods  valued  only  at  the 
regular  price  of  the  dealers,  and  each  subscriber  nearly  200  columns  of  humorous 
Btorics,  poetry  and  side-splitting  jokes.  Samples  sent  free,  on  receipt  of  stamp,  to 
parties  desirous  of  getting  up  clubs. 

AH  subscriptions  payable  in  advance. 

Advertising  rates,  ten  cents  per  lino,  every  insertion. 

Address:  

ROACH  &  THISTLETHWAITE, 

Publishers,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 


Webster  Famijy  Library'  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
Cummings  School  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at 
Tufts  University 
200  Westboro  Road 
North  Grafton,  MA  0153$ 


I 


■;i.'.v;'v; 


